Sergio Garcia Issues Apology After Costly Outburst at Augusta National

Sergio Garcia has offered an apology after a dramatic and costly outburst at the Masters tournament in Augusta on Sunday.

The 2017 champion, paired with fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm during the final round, suffered a wayward tee shot on the par-five second hole that finished in a bunker. Reacting with frustration, Garcia struck the club into the turf twice before lifting it again and slamming it into a nearby ice cooler. The impact was severe enough to snap the clubhead clean off.

Because the damage was caused by his own anger and not during a normal shot, Garcia was unable to replace the club under the rules of golf, leaving him without a driver for the rest of the round.

I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament, Garcia said in a statement posted on social media. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It does not reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.

Masters competition committee chairman Geoff Yang delivered a code-of-conduct warning to Garcia on the fourth tee as a result of the incident.

Garcia went on to post a three-over-par 75 in the final round, ending the tournament at eight over par, third from last among the 54 players who made the cut. When pressed by reporters about what had happened, the 46-year-old offered a blunt assessment: bad golf.

The tournament was ultimately won by Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland, who became only the fourth man in history to win consecutive Masters titles.

For Garcia, a player widely regarded as one of the most talented of his generation, the incident marked a rare off-field controversy in a career that includes over 30 professional victories. The former world number two will hope to move quickly past the episode as the European Tour and wider season continue.