'I Can't Wait To Leave This Tour' - Garcia Rages At Rules Official

Sergio Garcia has recently been linked with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series

Garcia looks for his golf ball
(Image credit: Twitter: @the_fried_egg)

Sergio Garcia is the latest player to all but confirm his intention to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series after he was caught on camera saying he "can't wait to leave this tour" following a rules incident at the Wells Fargo Championship.

The outburst comes just a fortnight after the Spaniard was heavily linked with the breakaway circuit, with The Telegraph reporting that the 42-year-old has applied to the PGA Tour for a release to play in the $25 million series opener.

Teeing off in the afternoon wave, Garcia posted a solid opening nine before arriving at the par-5 10th at one-under for the day. However, after pulling his drive into the thick stuff, he wasn't able to locate his golf ball. 

After a search, the 42-year-old's ball was eventually found before a PGA Tour rules official stated that it was outside the allotted time of three minutes. Following the incident, Garcia was visibly angry and made his feelings known to the rules official. 

He said: "I can't wait to leave this tour. A couple more weeks and I won't have to deal with you [the referee] anymore." Watch the video below:

Ironically, after taking a drop, Garcia salvaged a par five and went on to post a three-under 69 after holing his second shot on the par-4 15th with a trademark laser-like iron shot. He sits four behind overnight leader Jason Day.

Following the round, it was revealed by Garcia's management team that the 42-year-old had requested a release to tee it up at Centurion Club on the 9th - 11th June, with the full field still to be announced.

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Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x