Sergio Garcia created a stir at Augusta National during the Masters when he broke his driver on the second hole following a frustrated outburst. This incident led to him receiving a code of conduct warning, marking a first for the prestigious tournament.
Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, opened his round poorly, recording a bogey after his drive veered off to the right. His frustration escalated at the par-5 second hole when another drive veered towards the bunker, prompting him to slam his club into the ground multiple times. In a fit of anger, he struck a table, causing the head of his driver to detach completely.
Geoff Yang, the chairman of the competitions committee, addressed Garcia on the fourth tee, issuing the warning. Garcia chose not to disclose the conversation but expressed his disappointment in his behaviour, noting, “I’m not going to tell you. Just obviously not super proud of it.”
The tournament’s implementation of a new code-of-conduct policy, spearheaded by the PGA Tour, aims to regulate player behaviour, with escalating penalties for violations that could lead to disqualification after multiple infractions.
Garcia’s past is not without similar incidents; he was disqualified in 2019 for damaging greens in frustration and has a history of on-course outbursts, including an incident in 2001 where he nearly hit an official with his shoe.
After the driver incident, Garcia completed the rest of his round using only his 3-wood, which he found to simplify his game. The situation turned lighter when he spontaneously began carrying fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm’s clubs while Rahm’s caddie raked a bunker, bringing a moment of humour to the proceedings. The crowd appreciated the gesture when Rahm took back his bag, showcasing camaraderie on the course.
Garcia managed to stabilise his game, making par on the second hole but followed up with two bogeys. He concluded the round with a score of 75, acknowledging that good shots are crucial for scoring well at Augusta.