What Happened to Sergio García Fernández?
Sergio García is a Spanish professional golfer who rose to prominence in the late 1990s, known for his fiery play and a long-awaited Major victory at the 2017 Masters Tournament. After decades on the PGA and European Tours, he joined LIV Golf in 2022, a move that impacted his Ryder Cup eligibility and traditional tour participation, though he continues to compete in major championships and on the LIV circuit, leading an all-Spanish team as of 2026.
Quick Answer
Sergio García, the 2017 Masters champion, is currently a prominent player and team captain for Fireballs GC on the LIV Golf circuit. His move to LIV Golf in 2022 led to his ineligibility for the 2023 and 2025 Ryder Cups and a shift in his traditional tour schedule. As of April 9, 2026, García is competing in the 2026 Masters Tournament, having also participated in DP World Tour events and achieved individual wins on LIV Golf in 2024 and 2025. He recently signed a multi-year extension with LIV Golf and leads the league's first all-Spanish team.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Borriol, Spain
Sergio García Fernández is born in Borriol, Castellón, Spain.
Turns Professional and PGA Championship Duel
García turns professional and gains worldwide prominence with a memorable second-place finish against Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship.
Wins The Players Championship
García secures one of his most significant victories, winning The Players Championship.
Wins The Masters Tournament
After years of anticipation, García wins his first and only major championship, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National.
Joins LIV Golf
García becomes one of the high-profile golfers to join the newly formed LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Becomes Ineligible for 2023 Ryder Cup
García pulls out of the Mallorca Open, effectively making him ineligible for the 2023 Ryder Cup due to DP World Tour membership requirements and his involvement with LIV Golf.
First Individual LIV Golf Win
García achieves his first individual victory on the LIV Golf circuit at Valderrama, finishing third in the overall individual standings for the season.
Competes in 2024 Masters
García makes his 25th appearance at the Masters Tournament, wearing a notable green and yellow outfit.
Wins LIV Golf Hong Kong
García secures his second individual LIV Golf title, winning the event in Hong Kong.
Misses 2025 Ryder Cup Team
Despite hopes, García is not selected for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, following his withdrawal from the Irish Open.
Signs Multi-Year LIV Golf Extension and Forms All-Spanish Team
García signs a multi-year extension with LIV Golf and forms the league's first all-Spanish team, Fireballs GC, with young talents.
Starts 2026 Season on DP World Tour
García makes his first competitive appearance of 2026 at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour.
Strong Start at LIV Golf Riyadh (72-hole format)
García opens the 2026 LIV Golf season with a composed performance at LIV Golf Riyadh, which introduces a new 72-hole format.
Competes in 2026 Masters Tournament
García is in the field and teeing off for the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Sergio García Fernández, born January 9, 1980, in Borriol, Spain, quickly established himself as a prodigious talent in the world of golf. Turning professional in 1999, he gained international recognition with a memorable duel against Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship, where he finished second. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, García became a consistent presence in the top ranks of professional golf, accumulating numerous victories on both the European Tour (now DP World Tour) and the PGA Tour, including the prestigious Players Championship in 2008.
A defining moment in his career came in 2017 when, after years of close calls and major championship heartbreak, García finally secured his first and only Major title at the Masters Tournament, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff. This victory cemented his legacy and was widely celebrated. Beyond individual success, García was also a cornerstone of the European Ryder Cup team, known for his passionate performances and becoming the all-time leading points scorer in the event's history with 28.5 points across 10 appearances.
The landscape of professional golf shifted dramatically in 2022 with the emergence of LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed circuit. García was one of the high-profile players who opted to join LIV Golf, a decision that led to significant consequences. He resigned his membership from the DP World Tour, making him ineligible for the 2023 and 2025 Ryder Cups, despite his desire to participate. This move also limited his participation in PGA Tour events, though as a former Masters champion, he retains a lifetime exemption to Augusta National.
Since joining LIV Golf, García has continued to compete actively. He earned his first individual LIV Golf win at Valderrama in 2024 and followed it with another victory at LIV Golf Hong Kong in March 2025. He finished third in the overall individual standings in 2024 and ninth in 2025 on the LIV circuit. In December 2025, García signed a multi-year contract extension with LIV Golf and solidified his Fireballs GC team as the league's first all-Spanish lineup, aiming to nurture young Spanish talent.
As of April 9, 2026, Sergio García remains an active and influential figure in professional golf. He started his 2026 season by competing in the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour in January and showed strong form at the LIV Golf Riyadh event in February, which featured a new 72-hole format. Most notably, García is currently teeing off at the 2026 Masters Tournament, making his 27th appearance at Augusta National, where he hopes to improve on recent missed cuts. His career earnings across various tours now exceed $120 million.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sergio García Fernández made different choices?