Sergio Garcia, a prominent figure in the LIV Golf circuit, is receiving a warm reception back on the DP World Tour as he aims for another championship victory. At 46 years old, Garcia is competing in the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, where he is joined by Patrick Reed, a recent DP World Tour winner and former LIV Golf player. Reed has been making headlines after paying fines to leave LIV Golf, following the footsteps of Brooks Koepka. Meanwhile, Garcia is quietly rising up the leaderboard, currently tied with Reed as they head into the final round of the tournament.

Garcia and Reed are both tied for third place, and Garcia is hoping to secure the top spot by the end of the event.

“Winning would be nice,” Garcia said after the third round. “17 would be very nice. A lot of nice things with the number 17 for me. Getting married in ‘17, winning the Masters in ‘17. So hopefully, if it’s not tomorrow, I will get the 17th very soon.”

Garcia has 16 victories on the DP World Tour and is considered a European golf legend. He made history at the 2017 Masters, becoming the third Spaniard to win the prestigious Green Jacket after Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal, both of whom are two-time winners. In 2023, Jon Rahm became the fourth Spanish player to claim the Masters title.

Garcia shared his thoughts on the significance of the number 17 during the tournament. “I don’t feel any different. I’m obviously thrilled about what has happened, but I’m still the same goofy guy, so that’s not going to change.” He also reflected on the challenges he faced over the years. “Sure, there were times when I wondered if I was ever going to win one of these things. I’ve had so many good chances, and either I lost them or someone has done something extraordinary to beat me, so it has crossed my mind a few times that it might never happen. But lately, for whatever reason, maybe it’s to do with age, I’ve been thinking a little bit more positively about everything.”

Despite his status as a legend, Garcia recently missed out on a significant opportunity when Angel Ayora declined an offer to join the Fireballs GC in LIV Golf. Ayora, a 21-year-old golfer, did not qualify for the PGA Tour during his rookie season on the DP World Tour last year. However, he managed to achieve six top-10 finishes in seven events, which would have earned him the Rookie of the Year award had it not been for Martin Couvra from France.

In the 2025 Race to Dubai standings, Ayora finished 20th, just three spots away from securing a PGA Tour card. While several of his fellow Spanish players, including Josele Ballester, Eugenio Chacarra, Luis Masaveu, and David Puig, have joined Garcia in signing with LIV Golf, Ayora has expressed his desire to compete on the PGA Tour. He has even turned down an offer from the Saudi-backed tour, stating that his dream lies elsewhere.