Sergio Garcia credits LIV Golf Adelaide field for assembling ‘stars’ as Bryson DeChambeu, Jon Rahm tee up - 'They should be super happy’
Published 11/02/2026 at 19:27 GMT
Sergio Garcia has said that the player field for LIV Golf Adelaide is the best the tour has ever seen. LIV Golf Riyadh winner Elvis Smylie will be involved alongside big names such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. Garcia has also given his thoughts on the Official World Golf Rankings' decision to only award ranking points to players who finish in the top ten of LIV Golf events.
Highlights: Smylie fends off Rahm charge to secure victory at LIV Golf Riyadh
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sergio Garcia believes that LIV Golf Adelaide has the strongest line-up of players the tour has ever seen.
Some of the sport’s biggest names will be involved Down Under, including experienced LIV Golf players Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, as well as newcomers such as Australian Elvis Smylie.
Smylie got his LIV Golf career off to a flying start, holding off the challenge of Rahm to win LIV Golf Riyadh by one shot despite it being his first tournament on the tour.
Garcia is not intimidated by the increase in competition, insisting that organisers should be happy with the field they have assembled.
"This event is a great event," he said. "You have some amazing young players with great potential and you have some stars who have been in the game for a while.
"You have some that are currently playing at a great level.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/06/image-9498d922-8e16-42f5-91cf-e03c6e7f4157-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Smylie and Uihlein share the lead after Round 3 in Riyadh
Video credit: TNT Sports
"So I think that they should be super happy about what they have at the moment because, unfortunately, I don’t think they have had a field, a consistent field like this one year in and year out when they have been doing it for the last four years.
"That is nice to have."
The Official World Golf Rankings have announced that only players who finish in the top ten of LIV Golf tournaments will be awarded points for their performances.
Garcia believes that time will tell if they have made the right decision.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/02/05/image-7a8327f1-2540-4bae-9728-1852e13a2367-85-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: Gooch, Detry and Uihlein share lead after round two
Video credit: TNT Sports
However, the Spaniard also believes that it is a sign of progress after years of LIV Golf pushing for OWGR recognition for its players.
"It is definitely a step forward," he added. "Is it fair? I guess time will tell us. It does not feel like it is totally fair, you know, with time.
"Now the first few weeks when one of us is winning, obviously that guy is going to make a jump in the rankings.
"It is great, but then every time you finish 11th or worse, you are getting a zero and you are getting an extra event on your divisor.
- ‘That would be awesome’ – Poulter hopeful LIV Golf campaign leads to Ryder Cup return
- 'No doubt' DeChambeau will sign new LIV Golf deal once 'alignment point' reached
"So that, in the near or further future, can hurt a lot.
"But like I said, it is a step forward, it is positive, and I think that at the end of the day it is going to help some of these kids perform well to move up the rankings.
"Hopefully they play well, but unfortunately, only ten guys can finish in the top ten unless there are ties.
"So it would be nice if it was expanded a little bit more, I think it should, but hopefully it will come soon."
Garcia will be among the star-studded line-up of players taking part in LIV Golf Adelaide.
The event is set to get underway on February 12 and will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch and stream the LIV Golf season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement