Sergio Garcia smashed his driver on the second hole at Augusta National following a heated display on the tee box, earning him a code of conduct warning – the first of its kind at the Masters.
The typically fiery Garcia added a lighter moment on the same hole by temporarily lugging fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm’s clubs for a while.
The pairing of Garcia and Rahm, both former champions now competing on LIV Golf, was always expected to generate some interest, even though neither was in contention. However, Garcia swiftly escalated the drama.
The 2017 Masters champion visibly showed his frustration during his follow-through when his opening shot of the day veered well to the right, resulting in an early bogey.
Garcia then hit another drive that veered towards the bunker on the par-5 second hole, leading to an outburst of anger.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia from Spain. Augusta National/Getty Images
In a fit of frustration, he struck the ground with his club twice before lashing out at a table holding a green cooler. The club head subsequently dangled from the shaft, prompting Garcia to reach over and completely remove it.
Club officials revealed that Geoff Yang, serving as chairman of the competitions committee, addressed Garcia on the fourth tee, issuing the conduct warning.
When approached by the media, Garcia opted not to divulge the details of their conversation, stating, “I’m not going to tell you.”
The PGA Tour has been formulating a code-of-conduct policy for competitions, with the Masters being the first event to implement it, according to an insider involved in the process.
The individual requested anonymity, citing respect for Augusta National’s administration of the tournament.
Plans are in place for the PGA Championship to utilise the new policy, as well as potentially the other two majors. The insider noted that a second violation would incur a two-shot penalty, while a third violation could result in disqualification.
“I’m just obviously not very proud of it,” Garcia admitted.
“But sometimes it happens.”
In 2019, he faced disqualification at the Saudi International for his destructive behaviour on the greens.
Garcia’s history of outbursts includes angrily tossing off his shoe after slipping during a tee shot at the World Match Play in 2001, nearly hitting an official in the process. He also infamously spat into a cup during a World Golf Championship at Doral following a three-putt.
After damaging the tee box, Garcia continued until the end of the final round at Augusta National without a driver and appeared to have regained his composure.
“It makes it very easy,” he remarked.
“I just have to hit 3-wood all the time. I didn’t have to choose another club.”
Shortly after the incident, things turned light-hearted when Garcia took on the task of carrying Rahm’s bag while Rahm’s caddie raked the bunker.
The crowd cheered as Rahm took his bag back from Garcia and began carrying it himself while caddie Adam Hayes hurried to catch up with the pair.
“There was nothing to it,” Garcia explained.
“Adam paused to rake my bunker, and Benji (Thompson), my caddie, was carrying both bags, so I said, ‘Just put it down, I’ll take it so you can go and get a yardage.’ It was just that simple.”
Garcia ultimately made par on the second hole but followed with bogeys on the third and fourth holes, finishing the round with a score of 75.
“If you don’t hit good shots, you’re not going to score well here. It’s very straightforward.”
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