Sergio Garcia has apologized for a tantrum during the final round of the Masters in which he tore up the grass with a bad drive on the second hole and smashed his driver into the bench, causing a broken bone.
Masters Competition Committee Chairman Jeff Yang issued a code of conduct warning to Garcia on the fourth tee. This new course of action was adopted at this year’s Masters.
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“I would like to apologize for my actions at the Masters Tournament on Sunday,” Garcia said in a social media post. “I respect and value everything about the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club for golf. I regret my actions, which have no bearing on our game. They do not reflect my respect and appreciation for the Masters, its sponsors, tournament officials, and golf fans around the world.”
Garcia, the 2017 champion, started with a bogey, hitting a weak fade on the par-5 second hole heading into a bunker. He let his driver recoil onto the teeing ground, turned and slammed the club into the grass.
Without repairing the damage, Garcia smashed his driver into a wooden bench containing a water cooler, leaving the club head dangling from the shaft.
Garcia declined to address what officials said after the round, saying he was “not going to talk about it.” When I asked him again, he answered, “Next question.”
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He also did not apologize for his actions after scoring a 75 and finishing 52nd out of 54 contestants.
“Obviously, I’m not too proud of it, but sometimes it happens,” Garcia said.
Garcia has never finished in the top 10 in the 29 major league games he has played since defeating Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National in 2017. Since winning, he has played in eight Masters matches and missed six.
Asked about his record, Garcia replied, “Terrible golf.” When a reporter asked him to be more specific, Garcia replied, “It was a bad shot.”
Garcia was disqualified from the 2019 Saudi International Tournament after getting irritated and damaging the green. His antics over the years include angrily kicking his shoe off when it nearly hit an official during the 2001 World Match Play when he slipped on the tee.
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He also spit in the cup after three-putting at the World Golf Championships in Doral.
The PGA Tour has been developing a code of conduct policy for several years, and the Masters was the first tournament to implement it. The PGA Championship also plans to use it at Aronimink Golf Club next month.
After a warning, a second violation during the tournament will result in a two-stroke penalty, and a third violation will result in disqualification.
