Garcia confirms LIV Golf exit, eyes PGA Tour and 2027 Ryder Cup return

Sergio Garcia has confirmed his departure from LIV Golf, announcing he will return to the DP World Tour for the 2027 season while leaving open the possibility of playing on the PGA Tour again.

The 46-year-old Spaniard set out his plans in a statement posted on social media on Thursday, saying he is "keeping my options open for a return to the PGA Tour."

Garcia was the first LIV player to file for termination of his contract with the breakaway league last month, with his attorney asking a federal bankruptcy judge to grant the release after LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on 8 September, Yahoo Sports reported.

He first signed with the Saudi-backed circuit in June 2022 and went on to win twice on LIV while serving as captain of Fireballs GC.

That move cost him his DP World Tour membership, which he forfeited in May 2023, before applying for reinstatement a year and a half later and reportedly paying more than $1 million in fines.

Since being reinstated he has made seven non-major starts on the European circuit, including an appearance at the Spanish Open earlier this month, and currently sits 146th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

In his statement, Garcia called the DP World Tour "a huge part of my career from the very beginning" and said he was "proud to call it home again," adding that he was looking forward to "some great tournaments around the world to play before Augusta next April."

His return to the Masters carries its own context. Garcia made the cut there for the first time in four attempts last spring but finished solo 52nd, and received the first code-of-conduct warning in tournament history after damaging the second tee box and breaking his driver against a cooler during the final round.

He said he would put "a big focus on a strong mindset and my mental health" during the offseason, adding: "I left Augusta last year disappointed with myself and my actions, and I'm ready to show what I've learned and where I am mentally."

Garcia, a 10-time Ryder Cup player, has made next year's contest at Adare Manor a central target. "It's a big year ahead with the Ryder Cup, and I'm going to work my tail off for every chance I can get at more Majors and the biggest events in the game," he said.

"Another goal is to make that Ryder Cup team, and to be an asset to the guys in whatever capacity that may be," he added. Golf Monthly reported that he would be willing to join Luke Donald's backroom staff for the contest if a playing spot does not materialise.

Garcia's exit adds to a wave of high-profile withdrawals from LIV as it attempts to relaunch as LIV 2.0, having already lost Ryder Cup regulars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in recent weeks, according to Yahoo Sports.

The league has extended its soft player commitment deadline, originally set for 25 October, as it tries to finalise its roster for next season.

Garcia's immediate schedule now points towards a string of tournaments before the Masters in April, as he looks to rebuild his world ranking and press his case for both a PGA Tour return and a seat on Donald's Ryder Cup team.