Sergio Garcia adds another tantrum to his glittering resumé of angry outbursts

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The Spaniard has made headlines for all the wrong reasons before. Again. But it’s what we love about him, right?

Masters champion Sergio Garcia of Spain plays a stroke from the No. 14 tee during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Source: Augusta National

Sergio Garcia tantrums are like London buses – they appear all the time, often two at once. (That’s the saying, isn’t it?)

Even for the fiery Spaniard who we all hate to love, it’s been a while. When he won the Masters in 2017, his fans the world over breathed a sigh of relief, as it had been nearly two decades of trying and near misses.

He has often been a fun player to root for, and he has been one of the great European stars of the modern era. But, where his talent cannot be questioned, his behaviour on the course has often left a lot to be desired.

The latest entry to his angry resumé came at the 2026 Masters. In the final round, he snapped his driver on the 2nd tee box after hitting it on a cooler.

Later on the 4th hole, the Masters’ chairman of the competition committee Geoff Yang gave him a code of conduct warning. Again, an unfortunate series of events, but not surprising.

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At the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship, he performed another spectacular display of petulance when he got on the wrong side of a rules official while looking for a wayward ball.

He said he “can’t wait to leave this tour” and “just a couple more weeks until I don’t have to deal with you any more”.

Sure enough, he left for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League soon after.

The PGA Tour later issued a statement saying there had been an “inadvertent error” by the official, which goes some way to explaining Garcia’s frustration, but the former Masters champion refused to speak to the press following his round.

Sergio Garcia tantrums: Who needs shoes?

This is my favourite, so it’s almost a shame to be starting with it. During the World Match Play, Garcia hit a shot he didn’t like and, after briefly considering a more traditional club throw, he took his shoe off and threw it into the crowd.

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You know, just like we’d all do.

Sergio Garcia tantrum

Watering hole

On the 13th hole during the 2007 CA Championship, Garcia missed a six-footer then, having tapped in and removed his ball, decided to replace it with saliva.

As you do.

Sergio Garcia tantrum

Sergio Garcia bunker tantrum

Sergio has got previous with bunkers too. He got very angry at this sand in the clip below.

Sergio Garcia tantrum

Sergio Garcia tantrums: Thai fly

During the first round at the Thailand Golf Championship in 2011, two years before he won there, Garcia stuck a ball in the water at the par-3 8th. He didn’t much like his reloaded shot, either…

Sergio Garcia tantrums: Bushwhacker

Garcia also hates bushes. He particularly hated the bush at Royal Birkdale’s par-3 4th, as he proved during the 2017 Open.

Former NCG scribe Mark Townsend, who witnessed the whole sorry affair, wrote at the time:

“(Garcia) then spent the next few holes in obvious pain, had to receive some on-course treatment and there was the possibility of maybe withdrawing.”

He didn’t withdraw. He also didn’t win The Open.

Disqualification after a step too far

Garcia was disqualified from the Saudi International in 2019 for serious misconduct duirng the third round of the event held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

He damaged a number of greens, and he also lost his temper in a bunker during the second round.

“I received some very emotional, personal news earlier that week that didn’t help,” Garcia told Golf Channel.

“It was in the back of my mind. As I became frustrated on the course everything erupted.

“It was a mix of some emotional and personal things going on and a little frustration with the greens. Unfortunately, it ended up the way I wish it wouldn’t have.”

NOW READ: Ball Striking Secrets? Sergio Garcia Swing Analysis

NOW READ: Is Sergio Garcia an angel or a demon?

About the author

Matt Chivers
Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

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