Garcia Breaks Driver in Frustration at Masters, Receives Conduct Warning
Sergio Garcia experienced a whirlwind of emotions during his round at the Masters on Sunday. His frustrations boiled over when he broke his driver on the second hole at Augusta National, prompting a rare code-of-conduct warning.
Code-of-Conduct Warning at the Masters
This incident marked the first application of the new code-of-conduct policy during the Masters, as announced by sources involved with the tournament. The PGA Tour has been working on this policy, intending to implement it for future majors as well.
Details of the Incident
- Date: Sunday, during the Masters Tournament
- Location: Augusta National Golf Club
- Player: Sergio Garcia
- Outcome: Issued a code-of-conduct warning
Garcia, a former Masters champion, displayed visible frustration after his opening shot on the second hole went far right, resulting in a bogey. Following another mishit, he slammed his driver into the ground. This act broke the club and led him to detach the club head completely.
Geoff Yang, the chairman of the competitions committee, spoke to Garcia on the fourth tee and informed him of the warning. Garcia declined to explain the conversation, simply stating, “I’m not going to tell you.”
Consequences of Violating the Code
The PGA Tour indicated that further violations could result in penalties. A second infraction would incur a two-shot penalty, while a third could mean disqualification. Garcia, reflecting on his outburst, acknowledged he was “not super proud” of his actions.
A Humorous Turn of Events
After the incident, Garcia lightened the mood by helping his fellow Spanish player Jon Rahm. While Rahm’s caddie raked a bunker, Garcia carried Rahm’s bag, resulting in light applause from the gallery when Rahm took his bag back.
Despite the earlier turmoil, Garcia managed to maintain composure for the remainder of his round. He completed the round without a driver, opting to use a 3-wood instead. Garcia concluded his round with a score of 75, stating, “If you don’t hit good shots, you’re not going to score well here.”
In previous tournaments, Garcia has faced scrutiny for his on-course behavior, including a disqualification in 2019 for damaging greens. His recent actions at the Masters add to a long history of emotional moments in his career.
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