Garcia as captain? Spanish star excited about home country’s Ryder Cup in 2031

ROCESTER, England – Tuesday’s announcement that Spain will host the 2031 Ryder Cup certainly caught the attention of LIV Golf’s four Spanish golfers, particularly major winners Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.

Rahm, the Legion XIII captain, has played in the last three Ryder Cups and is expected to receive a captain’s pick for this year’s competition at Bethpage. Playing a Ryder Cup in his home country would add to a tournament he already considers special.

The 2031 Ryder Cup is set for Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort in Caldes de Malavella, near Barcelona on the Costa Brava.

"It would be absolutely incredible not only to continue Ryder Cups but to be a part of one and play in one at home,” Rahm said Wednesday during a pre-tournament press conference for LIV Golf UK by JCB. “I don't think I can describe it. Both Paris and Rome were so incredibly special that to think of playing one in Spain, I really couldn't put it into words.

“Knowing that some things smoothed over in the world of golf, that Sergio could possibly be the captain of the Ryder Cup team, that also adds to it.”

Garcia is the most successful player in Ryder Cup history with 28.5 points won in his 10 appearances. The Fireballs GC captain, an original member of LIV Golf, would be 51 years old for the 2031 Ryder Cup.

“Obviously, it’s something that I would love to do at some point, but so many things can happen in six years that I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” Garcia said. “And then, something happens, and you’re not able to do it for whatever reason. So, when the right time comes, we’ll focus on it.”

This marks Spain’s second time hosting the Ryder Cup, with the last one taking place in 1997 at the historic Real Club Valderrama, the site of LIV Golf Andalucía and Garcia’s favorite course. The decision positions Spain as the first continental European nation to host the Ryder Cup twice.

“I think it’s awesome to be able to have another Ryder Cup in Spain,” Garcia said. “It’s a dream come true for the country, for all of us, and a great honor. It’s a great area of Spain, beautiful, great food. The golf course is really nice.”

If Garcia is named captain, he will follow in the footsteps of Spanish legend, Seve Ballesteros, who led the European Ryder Cup to a 14.5-13.5 victory in 1997.  Though Garcia remains focused on playing in 2025, his status as a Ryder Cup legend with a deep connection to Spain make him the ideal candidate to captain Europe.

“Obviously, being Spanish and the Ryder Cup being in Spain, kind of like what Seve did in ’97, it would be something very special, but it’s too many years ahead,” Garcia said.

When asked if Garcia should be the captain of the European team in 2031, Rahm didn’t hesitate.

“Yeah, I think so,” said Rahm, the reigning LIV Golf Individual Champion. “I think there's something to say about possibly having a local captain. I think it would do wonders for the crowd. If history shows us anything, and it's very hard to compare anybody to Seve, but I've only heard stories about what that Ryder Cup was like.

“I would say, if possible, I think that would be a very good choice to have Sergio be a part of that one.”

Garcia’s Fireballs team include young Spanish players David Puig and Josele Ballester. Earlier this season, the Fireballs won three consecutive team titles and have won six events overall under Garcia’s guidance. Individually, Garcia has two victories, including this year in Hong Kong and last year at Andalucía when the Fireballs swept both trophies.

Rahm’s Legion XIII leads the season-long teams points standings after their recent win at Andalucía and have won seven times in 24 starts since joining the league as its first expansion team prior to last season. Individually, Rahm is currently second in points while Garcia is fifth.