Sergio Garcia has been linked as a possible defector to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. His remarks during a rules dispute today at the Wells Fargo Championship did little to quell those rumours.
At TPC Potomac’s 10th hole during the first round of the PGA Tour event, Garcia rope-hooked his drive into a marsh, which was marked as a penalty area. Though Garcia eventually found his ball, a rules official deemed he took longer than the three minutes granted for search and thus could not play his initial ball.
Garcia countered that the rules official was too quick with his timing. Understandably upset at the ruling, the 2017 Masters champ – in a scene caught on PGA Tour Live and shared over social media – proceeded to tell the rules official, “I can’t wait to leave this tour.”
Microphones also picked up Garcia saying he, “Can’t wait to get out of here,” and, “Just a couple more weeks until I don’t have to deal with [the rules official] anymore.” He finished with several expletives directed at the ruling.
The comments from Garcia are noteworthy given reports that he is among those considering jumping to the aforementioned LIV Golf series; Garcia has made no public comments about playing LIV Golf events, but the Spaniard has been a frequent participant at the Saudi International – an event sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is also backing the LIV Golf endeavour. According to a recent story in The Telegraph, Garcia is said to be “willing to snub the Ryder Cup” in order for a guaranteed payday. (The DP World Tour has threatened that those that jump to LIV Golf will be disqualified from participating in future Ryder Cups.)
The first LIV Golf event is slated for June 9, the week before the US Open.
PHOTO: Ben Jared
