Sergio Garcia clashed with a reporter in a heated press conference after Friday’s opening round of the Masters, where the Spaniard shot a two-over 74.
Garcia was one of 18 LIV Golf members competing at Augusta National, which this weekend became the front line in golf’s civil war as stars of the rival groups meet at the 87th Masters.
The Saudi-backed rebel series began last June with several big-name PGA Tour players jumping to the upstart circuit for record $25 million purses and 54-hole events despite concerns over Saudi human rights issues.
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The showdown of the two rival parties had been a point of focus in the lead-up to Friday’s action and was clearly a sore point for Garcia.
Despite not being asked specifically about LIV Golf, Garcia took exception with one reporter’s question after the opening round, urging the media to “stop” talking about it.
The interviewer clarified his question was in reference to Garcia having fewer “reps” in preparation for this year’s Masters, although the 43-year-old was not buying it.
INTERVIEWER: Talk about the day if you would.
GARCIA: I don’t know. Obviously started nicely, but I don’t know, I hit some good tee shots on the front nine. I hit a couple not so great iron shots. I hit a couple really good iron shots. I don’t know, [I am] battling mentally a little bit. I was trying everything I could to do the best I could and unfortunately the wheels started coming off a bit on the back nine.
INTERVIEWER: How normal did it feel coming back here and playing and concentrating on your game?
GARCIA: Totally normal. You guys need to stop it. You guys are making a big deal out of this and it’s you guys.
INTERVIEWER: No, it’s not.
GARCIA: Yes, it is. Yes, it is. I’ve had nothing but great things from every single player I talk to. So please stop it and just talk about the Masters.
INTERVIEWER: I think actually, in defence, I think actually I was thinking you haven’t had as many reps as sometimes you normally would. How did you feel coming in and playing this golf course because of that?
GARCIA: I don’t think you meant that, but… I played five tournaments coming in here, it’s pretty good. There’s been times where I probably maybe haven’t played that much coming into here. But it’s usually around that, four, five, six tournaments. But that wasn’t the problem.
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Garcia was then asked about news earlier in the day that the Europe-based DP World Tour had won its legal battle to suspend and fine players who committed “serious breaches” of its code of behaviour by playing in LIV Golf events without permission.
England’s Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were among 12 players appealing against punishments the tour wanted to impose on those who took in the inaugural LIV event near London last year.
It remains to be seen whether they will appeal against the verdict or give up their membership of the DP World Tour — a move that would end their involvement in the Ryder Cup.
When the topic came up on Friday, Garcia claimed he did not know enough about the decision to comment and then suggested he would not be looking into it deeply anyway.
INTERVIEWER: Are you aware the decision that came down today in the UK about —
GARCIA: I’m not.
INTERVIEWER: You’re not?
GARCIA: Okay.
INTERVIEWER: Does that mean you wouldn’t talk about it if we told you what happened?
GARCIA: How can I talk about something I don’t know? Obviously I don’t look at the news. So I don’t know what happened. I’m not going to talk about something without all the information that I need. I don’t want to get into —
INTERVIEWER: Are you interested in playing on any event in the European Tour going forward?
GARCIA: We’ll see. We’ll see how the year goes.
INTERVIEWER: Maybe speak to you about it tomorrow once you’ve had a chance to catch up on it.
GARCIA: We’ll see. I probably won’t catch up on it.
INTERVIEWER: Better to ignore it? Best way to deal with it?
GARCIA: Yeah.
