Footage shows Sergio Garcia fuming at officials after unwanted ruling during Final Open qualifying
Sergio Garcia, a LIV Golf player, faced frustration during the final qualifying round for The Open Championship at West Lancashire in Liverpool. The 44-year-old Spaniard’s attempt to secure one of the four available spots at the prestigious tournament was marred by a rocky start, leading to a notable altercation with officials. https://x.com/_benparsons/status/1808066403112501322?t=VuqdIa0jA8WCu7QqtKHoHA&s=19 Garcia’s troubles began…
Sergio Garcia, a LIV Golf player, faced frustration during the final qualifying round for The Open Championship at West Lancashire in Liverpool. The 44-year-old Spaniard’s attempt to secure one of the four available spots at the prestigious tournament was marred by a rocky start, leading to a notable altercation with officials.
https://x.com/_benparsons/status/1808066403112501322?t=VuqdIa0jA8WCu7QqtKHoHA&s=19
Garcia’s troubles began after he missed a short putt on the 7th hole. Shortly afterward, he received an official warning for slow play. The officials noted that he was four minutes behind his expected pace, with the gap to the group ahead of him widening. In footage shared on social media platform X, Garcia is seen walking with his head down and reportedly told the officials, “You’re right, we’re always wrong.”
Garcia was not the only player to receive a pace of play warning; fellow golfers Sam Bairstow and Alex Maguire were also cautioned for slow play. The incident was particularly significant for Garcia, who missed The Open last year for the first time since 1997.
Due to LIV Golf events not receiving Official World Golf Ranking points, ineligible players like Garcia are compelled to enter qualifying rounds alongside club professionals and lesser-known golfers. Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, has had public disputes with PGA Tour officials in the past, including an outburst over being warned for exceeding the time limit for searching for a lost ball.
Garcia holds the record as Europe’s highest point-scorer in Ryder Cup history. However, his move to LIV Golf has strained relationships with some of his former teammates, including a notably bitter fallout with Rory McIlroy. The nature of his departure from the traditional tours was marked by a heated dressing room rant directed at DP World Tour players, where he reportedly told them, “You’re all f***ed.”