Jon Rahm Sad 'Politics Have Gotten In The Way' Of Ryder Cup
The World No.2 has admitted the Ryder Cup won't be the same without fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia alongside him


Thank you for signing up to Golf Monthly. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Jon Rahm has admitted he will miss partnering with compatriot Sergio Garcia in this year’s Ryder Cup, and says 'politics' has interfered in the decision to exclude him.
The two-time Major winning Spaniard is certain to represent Team Europe in September’s biennial tournament against Team USA. However, LIV Golf player Garcia revealed last week that captain Luke Donald had told him he had “no chance” of making the team.
World No.2 Rahm is preparing for his first start since the PGA Championship in this week’s Memorial Tournament, but also found time to speak about the situation that means Garcia, who is the Ryder Cup's record points scorer, will be absent from the event at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
Rahm said: “I'm going to miss him. We had a great partnership at Whistling Straits. I'm going to mention history again one more time. A Spanish duo in the Ryder Cup I think to me is embedded into the roots of the Ryder Cup. Look with Seve and Ollie were able to do throughout their partnership, right. So it's a little sad to me that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event."
Garcia’s place in the side has been in question since he signed for LIV Golf. The chances of him and other LIV Golf players appearing in the tournament seemed even slimmer once the DP World Tour won its legal battle against players on the circuit. However, Rahm doesn’t think that should have a bearing the personnel in Donald’s team.
He said: “It's the best Europeans against the best American, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn't matter. It's whoever is best suited to represent the European side. And I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn't fit to be on the team.”
Despite confirmation that Garcia won’t be involved in the Ryder Cup for the first time in 24 years, other Spaniards, including Adrian Otaegui, Jorge Campillo and the winner of last week’s KLM Open on the DP World Tour, Pablo Larrazabal, are in contention. Rahm said he remains hopeful more Spaniards will join him on the team. He said: “It's unfortunate. I will miss him. But with that said I want to be hopeful, there's a couple of Spanish guys playing really good right now, so hopefully they can join me on the team.”
Before last week’s LIV Golf event in Washington DC, Garcia said: “I was excited about the possibility of playing with Jon again, and I know that Jon was also excited about that possibility, too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, at least for now.”
The tournament gets under way on 29 September, with Donald due to finalise his team after Ryder Cup qualifying earlier that month.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Tips on how to play better, latest equipment reviews, interviews with the biggest names and more.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
-
'It Cleanses Me' - DJ Khaled Reveals How Golf Has Changed His Life
The American DJ has caught the golf bug in a big way
By Michael Weston Published
-
Charley Hull At '80%' In Solheim Cup Practice After Injury Scare
Charley Hull admits she has been limited in practice due to a neck injury but insisted she'll be ready to go for Friday's Solheim Cup start
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm Rockets Into Contention With Sensational Course-Record 63
The Spaniard rolled in putt after putt as he went where nobody had ever been at Royal Liverpool
By Mark Townsend Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Sets New PGA Tour Prize Money Record After Scottish Open Finish
Following a T3 finish at the Scottish Open, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler surpassed $19million, the highest in a single season in PGA Tour history
By James Nursey Published
-
Harrington Will Change His Schedule To Improve Ryder Cup Chances
Padraig Harrington says he'll change his summer schedule and play in Europe if Luke Donald says he's genuinely in the mix for a Ryder Cup place
By Paul Higham Published
-
Michael Block Misses Out On ESPY As Scheffler Wins Golfer Of The Year Award
Michael Block missed out on an ESPY Award for his PGA Championship hole-in-one as Scottie Scheffler was crowned Golfer of the Year
By Paul Higham Published
-
Genesis Scottish Open Live Stream: How To Watch The Action From North Berwick
Rory McIlroy leads by a shot but 16 golfers are within five strokes of the lead
By Roderick Easdale Last updated
-
Could Padraig Harrington Make A Sensational Ryder Cup Return?
Sky Sports commentator Wayne Riley thinks Harrington should be one of Luke Donald's six wildcards
By James Nursey Published
-
Barbasol Championship Prize Money, Payout And Field 2023
Trey Mullinax won in 2022 but there will be a different name on the trophy this year
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Genesis Scottish Open Prize Money, Payout And Field 2023
Xander Schauffele defends his title with the tournament giving players a chance for some final preparation before The Open
By Ben Fleming Published