Sergio Garcia sends Ryder Cup message to captain Luke Donald with LIV Hong Kong victory

HONG KONG – Spanish veteran Sergio Garcia said he was hoping for a place in the Ryder Cup after shooting a sparkling seven-under 63 on March 9 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 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 at Bethpage Black 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 at 18-under 192 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, having earned 28.5 points – more than anyone in the event’s history – in 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, alongside England’s Paul Casey and the big-hitting American Peter Uihlein.

The 2017 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