Report: Sergio Garcia made 'bizarre' last-ditch attempt to play in the Ryder Cup

Per a report, Sergio Garcia reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to play in the 2023 Ryder Cup by agreeing to pay his LIV Golf fines.

Ben Smith

17 Sep 2023

Report: Sergio Garcia made 'bizarre' last-ditch attempt to play in the Ryder Cup — Report: Sergio Garcia made 'bizarre' last-ditch attempt to play in the…

Sergio Garcia reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to be considered for the Ryder Cup by offering to pay his outstanding LIV Golf fines - and more.

Per a report by Telegraph Sport, it is said Garcia pleaded with DP World Tour officials to be considered for the dust-up in a few weeks' time in Rome.

It is said the Spaniard racked up fines of at least £700,000 after playing in LIV events without a tournament release.

Garcia his fellow LIV players' initial fines for playing on the rebel tour were stayed pending the outcome of a sports resolution hearing.

They lost that legal fight earlier in the year which prompted Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood to resign their memberships with their home circuit.

As a result of that decision, they were ineligible for selection for this year's Cup.

There is hope that LIV players can be involved in future Cups after the PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced a 'framework agreement' on 6 June with the Saudi PIF.

The DP World Tour and PGA Tour have stated they will assess any requests for LIV players to re-join each circuit 'in good faith'.

But for Garcia - Europe's record points scorer in the Ryder Cup - it was too little too late despite the ongoing peace talks.

A source told the publication:

"They suddenly came to us and said that not only would he pay the £100,000 but also all of the outstanding fines if was allowed to play.

"They also said they'd play in whatever events we wanted, apart from those that clashed with the remaining LIV tournaments. But it was explained that, despite the ongoing peace talks, as he had resigned his membership, he is not eligible to join until next year.

"It was all a bit bizarre as that was made clear all along. As it is, Sergio remains the only one of the LIV players not to have paid the original £100,000 fine. Lee Westwood has paid, Ian Poulter has paid… but Sergio still hasn't."

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Garcia has been one of the most critical players of the DP World Tour ever since LIV Golf emerged.

He annoyed many officials by withdrawing from last year's PGA Championship at Wentworth without reason.

Garcia is said to have ranted and raved on the driving range in Germany when his initial fine for playing in LIV's inaugural event last June was imposed.

Scotland's Bob MacIntyre reportedly witnessed the moment Garcia told his peers they should have 'taken the Saudi money'.

Garcia also fell out publicly with Rory McIlroy but the duo have now patched things up.

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