Sergio DQ - Damaged Greens

[dennyjones]

Sergio DQ

Sergio Garcia was disqualified from the Saudi International because of "serious misconduct" on Saturday.

Garcia was accused by fellow players of purposefully hitting his clubs into the surface of the greens causing damage. Garcia posted a 1-over 71 in the third round, but was ultimately disqualified by the European Tour via Rule 1.2a.

This is how the USGA explains Rule 1.2a, which relates to player conduct, under the new Rules of Golf:

• It 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.
• In place of the unclear previous concept of “breach of etiquette”, it uses the more direct and stronger phrases “misconduct” and “serious misconduct.”

Garcia issued a statement following his disqualification, saying, "I respect the decision of my disqualification. In frustration, I damaged a couple of greens, for which I apologize for, and I have informed my fellow players it will never happen again.”

According to The Scotsman, it wasn't just "a couple" of greens which Garcia damaged, but five.

"It is believed that Garcia damaged five greens during his third circuit, with players in the four groups immediately behind him all complaining to rules officials about the state he’d left them," the paper reported.

This incident adds to  an already controversial beginning to the inaugural event as players in the field have been criticized for their participation after Saudi Arabia's involvement in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

I believe the penalty wasn't severe enough.   If the penalty was more severe like eliminating his option to play in a major this would never happen.   Money isn't a deterrent to somebody with his resources.    

[klineka]

Is there any video of him doing this?

[chilepepper]

He did five greens and the officials did nothing at the time?

[Vinsk]

Serious douchebag move. I had liked his easing up on the whiney woe is me crap...but this knocks him back down imo.

[Papa Steve 55]

His head seems to have him back more so than his game.

[RandallT]

16 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

Serious douchebag move. I had liked his easing up on the whiney woe is me crap...but this knocks him back down imo.

Interesting that from what I can see in 2 pages of posts, only the OP mentioned Sergio as a villain in this thread:

 

[Vinsk]

1 hour ago, RandallT said:

Interesting that from what I can see in 2 pages of posts, only the OP mentioned Sergio as a villain in this thread:

 

Yeah I never really saw Garcia as a villain. Just too much crying and bitching which has improved. Hell I was rooting for him to win the Masters when he did. I would never root for Poulter but I also don’t think Poulter would damage a green. That’s a different kind of douchebagness.

[HJJ003]

Wow. Damaging one green in frustration would be a “serious misconduct”, damaging multiple greens (possibly five?) is beyond the punishment given. I am sure it won’t be disclosed but I sure hope some other repercussions fall out from this. It’s pretty disgusting. Anyone know the extent of the damage (putter slammed into green out of frustration i assume?)?

[Zeph]

Always been a hothead that one.

 

 

[colin007]

He can go suck a dick. Eff him. I have no respect for someone who does that.

[iacas]

13 minutes ago, colin007 said:

He can go suck a dick. Eff him. I have no respect for someone who does that.

Really?

[David in FL]

7 minutes ago, iacas said:

Really?

Ok now, that was funny!  

[dennyjones]

He threw a tantrum.   I get it. He's at work and having a bad day.   

He's not my type of golfer.  I can be intense, lose focus and still not throw a tantrum.    Do I wish ill will against him?   Nah...What he does / doesn't do doesn't cause me grief or pleasure.    Is it bad for television or golf in general, sure.

[Buckeyebowman]

Bobby Jones had a temper. Perhaps his most famous temper tantrum was ripping up his scorecard, thus removing himself from competition. He was also know to throw a club now and then. As he explained, "When you feel a fool, and a poor golfer to boot, what else can you do but throw the club away?"

[ncates00]

I don't think it's that big a deal.  I wouldn't really enjoy playing with a guy getting that mad about it, but it's different when it's your livelihood and your ability is that high.  I'm sure his caddy repaired the greens.  I'd have more of a problem had he thrown his club and it hit some one.  IIRC, that occurred last year with some pro, can't remember who.

[iacas]

His caddie did not repair the greens.

[Beastie]

8 hours ago, dennyjones said:

He threw a tantrum.   I get it. He's at work and having a bad day.   

He's not my type of golfer.  I can be intense, lose focus and still not throw a tantrum.    Do I wish ill will against him?   Nah...What he does / doesn't do doesn't cause me grief or pleasure.    Is it bad for television or golf in general, sure.

Doing it once is a tantrum, but 5 times. That’s just being a dick.....

Also it is negatively affecting every other player behind him on the course. 

[GolfLug]

This man is about to start a family. Wow.