Sergio Garcia Snaps at Reporters After Opening 74 at Masters: 'You Guys Need to Stop It'

The former Masters champion took exception to a question he thought was LIV-related.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Sergio Garcia pushed back Thursday when asked about how normal it felt to return to the Masters, believing the question was LIV Golf-related instead of a query about the state of his game.

“Totally normal. You guys need to stop it,’’ Garcia said after opening with a 74. “You guys are making a big deal out of it and it’s you guys. I’ve had nothing but great things from every single player I talk to. So please stop it and talk about the Masters."

When the question was rephrased to ask about the lack of tournament golf Garcia had played coming in—LIV Golf has had just three events so far—Garcia said: “I don't think you meant that, but I did play five tournaments coming in here. So it's pretty good. There's been times where I probably maybe haven't played that much coming into here.

“But it's usually around that, four, five, six tournaments. But that wasn't the problem."

Garcia, who won the Masters in 2017, joined LIV Golf last summer and failed to play enough DP World Tour events to retain membership. He said he was unaware of the news that a Sports Resolution Arbitration hearing went in favor of the DP World Tour earlier Thursday and against the LIV Golf League.

One of 18 LIV players invited to the Masters (Kevin Na withdrew after nine holes due to an injury), Garcia is also one of six past champions in the field.

Garcia has played in three LIV Golf events this year, including 45th last week in Orlando and T6 Tucson three weeks ago. He also tied for fifth in an International Series event in Oman and was tied for 28th at the Saudi International. He tied for 23rd at last year’s Masters.

He got to 2 under par over his first nine holes before making four bogeys over the last nine holes, including both par-5s.