Sergio Garcia unsuccessful in eleventh-hour attempt to feature for Europe in Ryder Cup

The Telegraph's James Corrigan quoted an unidentified DP World Tour source as confirming that the Spaniard - the most successful Ryder Cup player in the tournament's history - made a dramatic last-gasp effort to be considered for this year's tournament by agreeing to pay the fines levied by the European tour against him.

A few months ago, Garcia said he had accepted he would not be a part of this year's Ryder Cup after declining to pay his £100,000 fine for joining the breakaway LIV Golf League and resigning his DP World Tour membership.

Since then, however, the PGA and DP World Tours have decided to cooperate with the Saudi-backed tour, while Garcia has also made up with Rory McIlroy, one of the most vocal opponents to LIV Golf on the European team.

Garcia apparently attempted to see if there was a way back for him in the Ryder Cup, but according to the unnamed insider, he was unsuccessful in his effort - despite offering to pay up to £700,000 in fines.

"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," the source said.

"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."

According to the report, Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald was not involved in the discussions, as he had already accepted that Garcia would not play a part in this year's tournament.

The decision to exclude Garcia has not been universally popular. The Spaniard's countryman and World No 3 Jon Rahm said last week in no uncertain terms that it was "stupid" to not include the most successful player in the tournament's history in some capacity.

Garcia's Ryder Cup record of 25 wins, 13 losses and seven halves in his career is the best individual record in the history of the competition, followed by Europe's Nick Faldo (23 victories) and the United States' Arnold Palmer (22).

"I think it would be really stupid of anybody not to lean on Sergio Garcia's experience in the Ryder Cup," Rahm said at Wentworth last week. 

"I mean, he is the best player Europe has ever had, won the most points and has shown it time and time again. If he were able to be a vice captain, I absolutely would lean on him. Same as we are going to lean on (Jose Maria Olazabal) this coming Ryder Cup, right."

READ MORE: Jon Rahm drops Ryder Cup bombshell, says excluding Sergio Garcia was 'stupid'