[Golf Topic] Garcia "I Want to Leave the PGA Tour"... 'Heading to the Saudi League?'

Sergio Garcia shows a disappointed expression after his tee shot on the 8th hole during the first day of the Wells Fargo Championship. Potomac, USA = Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…Sergio Garcia (Spain) inadvertently revealed his true intention to join the LIV International Series, supported by Saudi Arabia.

On the 6th (Korean time) at Potomac TPC in Maryland, USA (par 70, 7,107 yards), during the first round of the PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship (total prize money $9 million), an incident occurred on the 10th hole (par 5) while clashing with a rules official. He hit his tee shot over the creek to the left side of the fairway and searched for the ball for quite some time before finding it. However, the official approached and penalized him for exceeding the allowed ball search time.

Garcia protested that the official had started the ball search timing too early, but his objection was not accepted. Ultimately, following the official’s instructions to drop the ball, he muttered, "I want to leave this tour quickly." He then added, "In just a few weeks, there won’t be any more disputes with you (the officials)." Garcia’s remarks were interpreted as meaning he would be joining the LIV International Series starting next month on the 9th and thus leaving the PGA Tour.

Until now, there had been rumors that Garcia was likely to join the LIV International Series, but he had never officially confirmed it. Garcia is a player who burst onto the scene in 1999 at the age of 19 by finishing runner-up at the major PGA Championship. While also competing on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), he has won 11 times on the PGA Tour. In 2017, he became a major champion for the first time in his career by winning the prestigious Masters Tournament.

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