Sergio Garcia Responds to Fred Couples's LIV Golf Criticism

TUCSON, Ariz. – Earlier this week, Fred Couples called Sergio Garcia a clown. Garcia said Friday that Couples should stay out of his business.

Garcia responded to Couples, who called the 2017 Masters Champion a “clown” earlier this week in California at a speaking engagement before the Hoag Classic on the PGA Champions Tour.

“It's what it is,” Garcia told Sports Illustrated on Friday at the LIV Golf event in Tucson. “It's disappointing because I don't know where he's going with this. But it's Freddy so he can say whatever he wants and then we can say whatever we want. I think at the end of the day his life is his life and my life in this case is my life. So, I don't think he should comment on what me or any of these other guys should have done because we didn't tell him what he had to do.”

When asked about his decision to join LIV Golf, Garcia said he remains happy with it while adding, “Even if I wasn't, it’s my problem, not his.”

Couples made his comments during a speaking-engagement diatribe about LIV Golf and the players who leapt to the fledging Tour, including Phil Mickelson.

Couples called Mickelson a “nutbag” and said LIV Golf’s decision to make Mickelson the centerpiece of its new league was a mistake.

“If you’re willing to give Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 53 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you," Couples said. “I don’t have a problem with LIV. What my problem has been when I tweet every now and then, is what these guys say when they go to the LIV Tour."

After shooting a first-round 1-under-par 70 at the LIV Golf Tucson event on Friday, Mickelson was asked about Couples’s comments. With a wry smile, Mickelson said: “We've been friends for a lot of years,” in reference to Couples. “That's all I’ll really say.”

The first time all three will likely get together will be at the Tuesday night champions dinner at the upcoming Masters, when Scottie Scheffler will serve as host to the previous champions.

The menu will include cheeseburger sliders, Texas ribeye steak and mac and cheese.

A late addition may be crow, if Garcia and Mickelson have their way.