Golfer Sergio Garcia 'regrets' Masters outburst, issues apology
April 14 (UPI) -- Golfer Sergio Garcia said he regrets his outburst of frustration at the 2026 Masters Tournament and issued an apology Tuesday on social media.
Garcia finished 52nd at the first major of the PGA Tour season Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. He fired a final round score of 3-over-par and was 8-over for the tournament.
The Spaniard expressed serious frustration after his second drive. He followed the 320-yard shot into a bunker by smashing his driver several times into the tee box. Garcia also smacked the driver into a nearby cooler, snapping off the club head.
He was issued a code-of-conduct warning and not allowed to replace the club for the remainder of the round.
"I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters Tournament," Garcia wrote on Instagram, X and Facebook. "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.
"It doesn't reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world."
Garcia was spotted speaking with Geoff Yang, the chairman of the competitions committee, on hole No. 4 on Sunday at Augusta. He initially declined to tell reporters if he received a warning.
"Yeah, just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens," Garcia said.
Garcia, 46, earned his lone major victory at the 2017 Masters, when he beat Justin Rose in a playoff. He missed the cut in six of his most recent eight Masters appearances.
He also hasn't placed inside the Top 10 at a major since his 2017 win at Augusta. Garcia finished second or tied for second four times over 103 major appearances.
Garcia is to participate in LIV Golf Mexico City, which will be held Thursday to Sunday at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Naucalpan.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 12:41 PM.