Portrush, Northern Ireland – Sergio Garcia, at 45, plays for LIV Golf and is glad to have a chance at the British Open.
However, his excitement turned to fury early on Sunday during his final round. After a poor tee shot on the second hole, he broke his driver and then angrily slammed it into the ground.
Garcia missed the fairway on the par 5 second hole, and in frustration, he smashed the driver down hard. Irony struck, as he ended up birdieing that same hole but was left to finish the round without his driver.
According to Rule 4.1, players can’t replace clubs damaged during play, which is why he had to continue without it.
After the incident, Garcia reflected, “I’ve had a tough couple of months with my game.” He was candid about feeling off, mentioning he didn’t hit the second tee shot properly. “When I saw the shaft snap, I was surprised; I wasn’t trying to break it,” he added.
Despite the setback, he managed to shoot a solid 3-under 68, finishing the tournament at 3-under for the week. He’s looking to impress European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, hoping to secure a captain’s pick for the team.
Garcia had tied for 67th place at the PGA Championship and missed the cut at the Masters, leaving him unable to qualify for the US Open.
He shared that he and Donald had a productive conversation recently. “I can only focus on working hard and building confidence,” Garcia stated. He believes that he could contribute positively to the team and hopes Donald will make the best decision for the crew.
Garcia views the Open as not being his final shot at proving himself, saying there are still weeks ahead to show his worth. He remarked, “It felt like my game had come and gone a bit this week.”
He also mentioned that his conversation with Donald centered more on his performance than on LIV Golf itself, suggesting that the decision would be based on golfing skills rather than politics.
“He told me it’s about how my game is and what I can bring to the team,” Garcia explained. He values experience, especially for the rookies, and is hopeful that he could be a supportive presence for them as they navigate tournament challenges.
