Masters Champion Sergio Garcia Exits LIV, Eyes Tour Return

WHO:

ESPN - Garcia had been captain of LIV Golf’s Fireballs GC team.

Fox News - Sergio Garcia is a Masters winner and the latest golfer reported to leave LIV Golf.

BBC - Garcia is a 46-year-old Spaniard, a one-time major champion and former world number two.

BBC - Garcia follows Jon Rahm, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Graeme McDowell in announcing departures from LIV Golf.

BBC - Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) backed LIV Golf.

WHAT:

ESPN - Garcia won two LIV Golf tournaments: in Spain in July 2024 and Hong Kong in March 2025.

ESPN - Garcia said he looked forward to strengthening personal relationships, “both new and old.”

ESPN - Garcia said he was looking forward to returning to Augusta National Golf Club and pursuing another green jacket.

ESPN - Garcia said he had left Augusta disappointed with his conduct and was ready to show what he had learned and where he was mentally.

ESPN - Garcia damaged the Masters’ No. 2 tee box and broke his driver on a cooler in frustration; he received a code-of-conduct warning and was not allowed to replace the driver.

ESPN - Garcia last played in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2021 and is the event’s all-time European points leader.

Fox News - Garcia announced his return to the DP World Tour and indicated that he may return to the PGA Tour.

BBC - Garcia said he will play on the Europe-based DP World Tour in 2027 and is targeting a return to Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

BBC - Garcia said: “This tour has been a huge part of my career from the beginning and I'm proud to call it home again.”

BBC - Garcia added: “I'm also keeping my options open for a return to the PGA Tour.”

BBC - Garcia won 27 titles across the American and European circuits between 1999 and 2020, including the 2017 Masters.

BBC - LIV Golf secured possible financing of $300m (£224m) to try to continue with “LIV 2.0”; only a handful of players had committed to the proposed competition in 2027.

Reddit Sports - The post headline says Garcia is leaving LIV Golf and returning to the DP World Tour.

WHERE:

BBC - LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States.

BBC - The DP World Tour is Europe-based.

WHEN:

ESPN - Garcia resigned his DP World Tour membership in May 2023 and applied for reinstatement in November 2024 after reportedly paying more than $1 million in fines.

ESPN - Garcia sought to terminate his LIV contract before the league filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 8.

ESPN - LIV golfers faced a Sunday deadline to commit to LIV 2.0, which investor BC Partners could extend.

BBC - Garcia is set to play on the DP World Tour in 2027.

BBC - LIV Golf launched in 2022, and Garcia joined in June 2022.

BBC - The PIF withdrew its backing in April after investing more than $5bn (£3.8bn); LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection the following month.

BBC - Garcia’s 27 circuit titles came between 1999 and 2020, including his 2017 Masters victory.

WHY:

Fox News - Garcia’s possible PGA Tour return was raised as LIV Golf’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy deepened.

BBC - LIV Golf’s second phase followed the PIF’s withdrawal of financial backing.

HOW:

BBC - Garcia announced his departure and tour plans in a statement on social media.

BBC - LIV Golf sought to move forward as “LIV 2.0” with possible $300m (£224m) in financing after filing for bankruptcy protection.

Masters champion Sergio Garcia is leaving LIV Golf and returning to Europe’s DP World Tour. He plans to compete there in 2027 and is targeting a Ryder Cup return. Garcia is also keeping open the possibility of returning to the PGA Tour.