Photo: Getty Images
Former Masters champion Sergio García apologized for his outburst during the final round of this year's tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday (April 14).
García, 46, erupted in the tee box on the second hole after his shot landed in the bunker, swiping at the grass twice and breaking his driver on a cooler, which resulted in him being issued a code-of-conduct warning, the first such incident in Masters history, and was prohibited from replacing the club in his bag.
"I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at The Masters tournament," García said in a statement shared on his social media accounts. "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, the tournament officials and golf fans around the world."
Garcia, who won the tournament in 2017, his lone career major victory, was paired with 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm on Sunday, attempting to bring some levity to the situation by carrying Rahm's bag down the fairway as his caddie went to the bunker. Geoff Yang, the chairman of the competitions committee, reportedly spoke to Garcia on the fourth tee and issued the code-of-conduct warning, club officials confirmed to ESPN.
The Spanish golfer finished the round 3-over 75 and wouldn't reveal what Yang said to him after the round.
"[I've been frustrated] through the year," said Garcia, who finished 8-other for the tournament. "Yeah, just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens."