Garcia Issues Apology for Outburst at Masters Tournament

Sergio Garcia has expressed regret for his behaviour during the final round of the Masters. Following a disappointing drive on the second hole, Garcia damaged the turf and then broke his driver by slamming it against a bench. In a post on social media, Garcia stated, "I would like to apologise for my actions at the Masters tournament. I have immense respect for the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club, and I regret my behaviour, which does not reflect my appreciation for the tournament, its patrons, officials, and golf fans worldwide." After Garcia's outburst, Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, issued a warning to him regarding his conduct on the fourth tee, as part of the tournament's new code-of-conduct policy. Garcia, the 2017 champion, started his round with a bogey and hit a weak fade on the par-five second hole, which was headed towards the bunker. He then slammed his driver onto the tee and into the turf, causing damage. Without repairing his club, Garcia then smashed his driver against a wooden bench, causing the head of the club to dangle from the shaft. When questioned about the incident, Garcia refused to discuss the details, saying, "I'm not going to tell you." After his round, Garcia did not apologise for his actions, stating, "I'm not particularly proud of it, but sometimes these things happen." Garcia has struggled to replicate his 2017 Masters victory, failing to finish in the top 10 in his last 29 major appearances. He has also missed the cut six times in eight appearances at the Masters since his win. When asked about his performance, Garcia attributed it to "bad golf" and "bad shots." This is not the first time Garcia has been involved in an on-course incident. In 2019, he was disqualified from the Saudi International for damaging greens in frustration. He has also been known to exhibit angry outbursts, including kicking off his shoe during a tee shot at the World Match Play in 2001 and spitting into a cup during a World Golf Championship at Doral. The PGA Tour has been developing its code-of-conduct policy over the last few years, with the Masters being the first tournament to implement it. The PGA Championship will also be using the policy next month at Aronimink Golf Club. According to the policy, a second violation during the tournament will result in a two-shot penalty, while a third violation will lead to disqualification. The PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open will all be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports. Viewers can watch these events with a Sky Sports subscription or by streaming with no contract.