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<\/p>\nSpanish golfer Sergio Garcia has addressed reports that he offered to pay off around \u00a3700,000 in fines in order to play for Team Europe at this year’s Ryder Cup. The 2017 Masters champion was ineligible to compete at the prestigious annual event having joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, but has now confirmed his last-minute attempts to make amends.<\/p>\n
Garcia joined LIV Golf for a lucrative deal, worth a reported \u00a330 million, back in 2022 and subsequently was been forced to give up his DP World Tour membership. The 43-year-old was fined around \u00a3700,000 and became ineligible to feature in any DP World Tour events – including the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
In a desperate attempt to play in the competition, Garcia tried to pay off his fines to become eligible once again. But the Spaniard has since revealed that the tour’s chief Keith Pelley rejected his efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI called and asked him [Pelley] about the possibility of me being a member of the Tour again,\u201d Garcia told i. \u201cI knew I had to be a member to have any possibility of being a part of the European team in Rome.<\/p>\n
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“That\u2019s what I wanted, if I paid all my fines and played the minimum number of tournaments required. I was willing to do both, though it would not be ideal because I would have had to play 10 out of 11 or 12 weeks [before the season\u2019s end].<\/p>\n
\u201cThe answer was, there was no chance. When he told me that there was no point going forward with anything else. I\u2019m not going to make the extra effort if I\u2019m not going to get any love back from them.”<\/p>\n
The Ryder Cup is of great importance to Garcia, who is Europe\u2019s leading Ryder Cup points scorer having won 28.5 points since his debut in 1999. However, the Spaniard has not given up hope and believes there is a chance he could feature next year.<\/p>\n
“Pelley said hopefully next year everything will be more favourable for all of us but he did not encourage me to become a member,” Garcia added.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Although Team Europe has banned any LIV Golfers competing the same can’t be said for Team USA. American team captain Zach Johnson has called on LIV star Brooks Koepka to take part thanks to his wins this year, including topping the table at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill.<\/p>\n Despite the knock-back, Garcia added that his love for the tournament will remain. \u201cI\u2019m European. I love the Ryder Cup and the feeling that being on that team gives you,” he went on to explain. “That\u2019s not going to go away. It doesn\u2019t matter whether they want me to play another or they don\u2019t. That is something that is in me. That will never change.<\/p>\n “Am I disappointed that I\u2019m not there? Yes, absolutely. But that does not mean I\u2019m going to wish for bad things for them.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ryder Cup starts on September 25 at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.<\/p>\n
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