Sergio Garcia has always been known as the stereotypical golf hothead. This time though, he may have gone too far, because he was disqualified from the European Tour's Saudi International tournament. He was in violation of rule 1.2A. According to the USGA, Rule 1.2A declares that "players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by acting with integrity, showing consideration to others and taking good care of the course." It unequivocally states the Committee’s authority to disqualify a player for any serious misconduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game. When I first saw this news, I thought it was a joke. This couldn't be true right?!
It was true. It's very, very rare for someone to be disqualified from a tournament. I can't even remember the last time that happened. And what does that even mean? I have never seen a pro throw such a temper tantrum they get kicked out of a tournament. Golf is interesting because everyone tries to play the course exactly the same for everyone. That's why you rake the sand traps, repair ball marks on the green, etc. As a player, you always want to respect your fellow players by taking care of the golf course. Sounds like Sergio had a little temper tantrum, and it cost him a tournament. It also cost him some points among his competitors. Throwing a temper teantrum and causing a scene is embarrassing. You can't let that happen in a pro tournament or a leisurely round.
The other weird part about it is the lack of video evidence. This is a pro golf tournament that aired on the Golf Channel in the United States. There has to be video evidence of this, right? Nope. I don't understand it but we'll get some video evidence soon enough. For now, this is all we get. It doesn't look bad, but that is really bad. These greens are pristine.
Just been out to sixth green @RoyalGreens_KSA and this was the only sign of damage on an otherwise pristine green. This probably did look quite nasty immediately after Sergio Garcia apparently left this divot mark yesterday @ScotsmanSport @edinburghsport pic.twitter.com/1aYFHCwIWx
— Martin Dempster (@DempsterMartin) February 3, 2019***UPDATE*** The other incident Sergio Garcia was a part of this weekend has finally been caught on video! This is a temper tantrum at its finest.
Sergio Garcia’s meltdown in a Royal Greens bunker a day prior to his disqualification for vandalism work on five greens. Story by @SkySportsGolf fills in details. Translations welcomed! https://t.co/UoGmPtTOz4 pic.twitter.com/dQMDN7y2PC
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) February 4, 2019And before you think I am pointing fingers at Sergio, I'm not, because I have felt this way before. I have had to adjust the way I react on a golf course. I know the inner rage that builds inside and I don't blame Sergio for getting angry on a golf course. However, as a professional, Sergio Garcia knows how you can and cannot act on a golf course.
