Sergio Garcia has apologized for his verbal abuse during the final round of the Masters.
After a bad drive on the second hole, Garcia tore up the grass and smashed his driver into the bench, breaking it.
“I would like to apologize for my actions at the Masters Tournament,” Garcia said in a social media post.
“I respect and value everything about golf at the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club. I regret my actions and they have no bearing on our game.”
“It does not reflect the respect and gratitude I have for the Masters, its sponsors, tournament officials, and golf fans around the world.”
Masters Competition Committee Chairman Jeff Yang issued a code of conduct warning to Garcia on the fourth tee. This course of action was new for this year’s Masters.
Garcia, the 2017 champion, started with a bogey and hit a weak fade on the second par-5 hole 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 about it again, he said, “Next question.”
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.
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Highlights from Day 4 of the Masters at Augusta National
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 the Masters, he has played in eight Masters matches and missed out six times.
When asked about his performance, 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.
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.
The PGA Championship (May 14-17), US Open (June 18-21) and The Open (July 16-19) are all being broadcast live exclusively on Sky Sports. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
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