Garcia sends Ryder Cup message to captain Donald with LIV victory

HONG KONG: Spanish veteran Sergio Garcia said he was hoping for a place in this year´s Ryder Cup after shooting a sparkling seven-under 63 on Sunday to win LIV Golf Hong Kong by three strokes in front of huge crowds.

The 45-year-old missed the last edition in 2023 after joining the breakaway Saudi-backed circuit but has since made his peace with the DP World (European) Tour, which is allowing LIV players back if they pay their fines.

He is outside the world´s top 400 as LIV events do not carry ranking points, so will have to rely on being one of European captain Luke Donald´s picks if he is to tee up against the United States in Bethpage in September.

“I think he´s watching,” Garcia said of Donald after a flawless tournament at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, where he shot rounds of 65, 64 and 63 to finish 18-under par on the par-70 championship course.

“We´ve been in touch, so I know that he´s keeping an eye.”

Garcia´s Ryder Cup record is unrivalled and he has earned more points than anyone in the event´s history over 10 appearances for Team Europe.

“The only thing I can do is keep playing good golf,” he said.

“I just want to help the European team like I´ve tried to do every single time I´ve been a member of that team.

“Hopefully he will think I´m good enough for it.”

The Spaniard began the day in a three-way tie for the lead at 11-under par alongside England´s Paul Casey and the big-hitting American Peter Uihlein.

The 2017 US Masters champion got his round rolling with a sumptuous 45-foot putt for eagle at the par-five third.

He then opened up a four-shot cushion on a chasing pack brimming with major winners as he went on a stunning run of four birdies in a row from the eighth.

He was never threatened from there and added a final birdie at the 16th.

It was Garcia´s second individual LIV title after he won at his favourite course, Valderrama, in 2024.