Former Masters champion issues apology for explosive outburst during final round at Augusta

Ed Griffiths
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:01:56 +0000

Sergio Garcia issued an apology on Tuesday for his explosive behaviour during the Masters final round at Augusta National two days earlier.

The 2017 champion lost his temper on the par-five second hole after his tee shot landed in a fairway bunker.

He struck the turf twice with his driver before smashing it against a nearby cooler, which broke the club's head clean off.

Garcia wrote on social media: "I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament."

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He added: "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."

The incident prompted Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, to approach Garcia at the fourth tee and deliver a formal code-of-conduct warning - the first such sanction in the tournament's history.

Under the rules, because Garcia had damaged his equipment in anger rather than through normal play, he was prohibited from replacing the driver for the remainder of his round.

The 46-year-old Spaniard was forced to complete the final 16 holes without his longest club.

He finished the round three-over-par 75 to finish the tournament at eight over, placing him 52nd among the 54 players who survived the cut.

Despite receiving the unprecedented warning from tournament officials, Garcia showed little remorse immediately after completing his round on Sunday.

"Obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens," the Spaniard said, offering minimal contrition for his conduct.

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When pressed about his struggles at Augusta, Garcia was equally terse.

Asked what had gone wrong, he replied simply: "Bad golf." Questioned further about what specifically caused his poor performance, he responded: "Bad shots."

The former champion has endured a difficult spell at the venue where he claimed his sole major title, missing six cuts in eight appearances since his 2017 victory.

Television viewers offered the harshest judgement on Garcia's behaviour, with numerous fans demanding he be barred from returning to Augusta next year.

Sunday's eruption was merely the latest entry in a lengthy catalogue of on-course incidents.

At last year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Garcia similarly destroyed his driver in frustration during the final round's second hole, completing the remaining 16 holes without it.

In 2019, he was disqualified from the Saudi International for deliberately damaging greens following a bunker-related outburst.

Earlier incidents include nearly striking an official with a shoe he kicked off in anger at the 2001 World Match Play.