With just three weeks to go until the Ryder Cup tees off at Bethpage Black, the excitement is in the air, especially after both teams declared their squads of 12.
But one name that won’t be there is Sergio Garcia, and his absence is stirring emotions far beyond the leaderboard.
Garcia, the Ryder Cup’s all-time leading scorer, withdrew from this week’s Amgen Irish Open at The K Club after being left off Luke Donald’s final 12-man roster.
The Spaniard quietly stepped away from competition and instead made a surprise appearance at the US Open tennis quarterfinals in New York.
Back in Ireland, McIlroy, who automatically qualified for Team Europe and will make his eighth Ryder Cup appearance, shared his thoughts on Garcia’s absence.
“He was supposed to be here,” McIlroy told reporters, as quoted by Golf Magic, reflecting on their long-standing friendship. “It would have been great for the tournament if Sergio played.”
The green jacket winner, who served as a groomsman at Garcia’s wedding in 2017, acknowledged the disappointment but stood by Donald’s decision.
“Luke has assembled a very strong 12 players, and I think it’s the right 12 players,” McIlroy expressed during the same conversation. “I’m sure Sergio (Garcia) is disappointed, but at the same time, I’m sure he wishes Europe well.”
Donald himself addressed the situation, noting that Garcia’s form and scheduling choices played a role in the decision.
“I think Sergio’s disappointed like all of the others that felt like they might have a chance to make the team,” Donald expressed further. “I don’t tell people what to do with their schedules unless it’s really close.
“He fully understands that the Irish were after the qualification finish, after the team was picked. Unfortunately, I just felt like his form wasn’t quite good enough to make the team that was full of so many people playing well.”
As of now, in Thursday’s opening round at the Irish Open, McIlroy carded a 1-under 71. He started strong with four birdies on his first nine holes but faded late, bogeying two of his final three.
“Felt like I played better than what the score reflects,” McIlroy stated on Thursday at the Irish Open. “Just a matter of being more efficient with the scoring.”
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