Sergio García has taken to social media to issue an apology following the controversial incident on the second tee during Sunday’s final round at The Masters.
García actually made the cut for the first time since 2022 at Augusta National this past week. However, his tournament will almost solely be remembered for an emotional outburst in the last round.
The 46-year-old has never finished lower at the first major of the year when he has managed to make the cut. So perhaps that helps explain why frustration got the better of him early on Sunday.
Sergio García finally issues an apology after losing his cool at The Masters
García reacted to his tee shot on the long par five by smashing his driver into the ground. He managed to do noticeable damage to the tee box before also hitting a water cooler.
Unsurprisingly, the driver was unusable from there.
García did not initially apologise for the incident. He was warned by an Augusta official as he made his way down the fourth hole.
But he has now admitted that he crossed the line.
Posting on Instagram, García wrote: ‘I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday at The Masters tournament. 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 doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for The Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.’
Sergio García is one of the game’s great talents, but he is taking a driver to his legacy
There is always a feeling of scepticism when a sportsperson produces a perfectly-worded statement on social media after making a big mistake.
But that scepticism probably goes to another level when García is the player involved.
Unfortunately, this is far from the first time that the 2017 Masters champion has made the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Just last year at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, García smashed his driver in frustration. Remarkably, that incident also came on the second hole of the final round.
He has previously been criticised for an incident in Saudi Arabia back in 2019 where he repeatedly hacked at the sand after a bunker shot. And he went on to be disqualified that week after damaging a number of greens.
García is one of the finest talents of his generation. It was extremely satisfying to watch him finally win a major at The Masters nine years ago. And no one has won more points in the Ryder Cup.
However, it is getting to the point where he is only hurting his legacy with his actions.
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