A matter of days after another Alan Shipnuck-shaped bombshell was thrown in the direction of Phil Mickelson, his LIV Golf colleague Sergio Garcia dragged himself to Crosby again to play in Open Qualifying.
If you have read Shipnuck’s biography of Mickelson, or if you have followed his career, you will know he is one of the most remarkable people in sport, for better or for worse.
He has been loosely involved in an insider trading case, he has had serious gambling issues, but, sprinkled on top are incredible acts of kindness and generosity, three Green Jackets and a Claret Jug.
Mickelson pioneered the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, and his actions were laced with galling hypocrisy. Having been paid a nine-figure sum to join the breakaway tour, he then described the Saudi Kingdom as ‘scary mother*****rs’ in an off/on-the-record chat with Shipnuck.
Now, from what seemed to be heavily rumoured for a while in various golf webs in the States, reports allege inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, and Shipnuck has further reported that Mickelson allegedly showed Pat Perez’ wife a picture of himself naked in 2015.
For decades, fans rooted for Phil and urged him to win the US Open, which is the only major he hasn’t won. He was entertaining, unbelievably talented, and an electric presence at every tournament.
He won six majors, and although he was never able to match the achievements of his great rival Tiger Woods, he is still one of the greatest golfers ever.
It is difficult to envisage a situation now where he could return to public life, and you wouldn’t be far off saying the same about Woods were he not still perceived as the saviour of the PGA Tour. He was wheeled out last week in Connecticut to produce an excruciating speech to usher in the PGA Tour’s new schedule, presumably still in recovery from his most recent car accident.
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No one has been more thrilling than these two in pro golf this side of the millennium. But now, there is a risk that their careers, albeit completely unforgettable and thrilling, are frittering away uncomfortably, for reasons partly of their own creation.
But, in a world in which they’d play at the 154th Open at Birkdale this month, we would all flock to the front of the rope to watch them.
Which brings me to our friend Sergio, who stood behind me in the queue for the lunch buffet at West Lancs this week, and went on to blame the lasagne for not qualifying for The Open.
Garcia’s legacy is rooted in the majors and the Ryder Cup. Shortly after winning his sole major at the Masters, he became the record points scorer at the Ryder Cup in 2018, beating Rickie Fowler to secure yet another point for Team Europe.
Unfortunately, Garcia will also be remembered for a long list of petulant acts, the tendencies of which have never left his body, despite his approaching 50. From spitting in holes to disqualification from tournaments due to conduct, booting golf shoes across tee boxes and snapping clubs at Augusta (as recently as April this year), these misgivings represent just a handful.
Even up close and personal on the Mersey coast, it is endlessly satisfying to watch him produce those piercing ball flights, yet equally wincing to watch him skulk around as if the whole thing is beneath him.
But I wanted him to qualify. Of course I did. This is Sergio Garcia. He is a thrilling and passionate player. Final Open Qualifying is a better event for his presence, as is The Open, and he is one of the great players of his era.
There is a pantomime villain vibe at play, but aside from that, golf fans, and sports fans in general, have always been compelled to separate behaviour from inside and outside of the ropes. That’s what we do. There has always been a separation between appreciation for talent and judgement for personal missteps.
We argue it’s not relevant. We say we are only interested in their golf. If their name is on the leaderboard, we’re tuning in.
Woods’ infidelity scandal broke at the end of 2009. By April 2010, he was being cheered on at the Masters into a tie for fourth place, and again at the subsequent US Open. Once the red top covered his body and the black cap with the white Nike swoosh on his head, people immediately stopped feeling blue about his private life.
Garcia had 22 top-10s at the majors before beating Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta nine years ago. As the near misses ticked over, both he and his fans became more desperate for success, but on that journey, Garcia’s behaviour never changed from being abject.
He has failed to qualify for The Open at West Lancs again, and that is sad. It is sad that a great champion needs emergency measures to compete in an event that it’s impossible he hasn’t won.
But his avenues to The Open, the US Open and the PGA Championship narrowed when he took big bags of cash to join LIV. Again, actions of his own.
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Hate-watch has become a buzzword in the social media bantersphere of football. There is no such thing in golf – it’s more a watch of intrigue.
He brought people from their beds, down their stairs, and from their front doors in the northwest on a Tuesday before 8 am.
We aren’t meant to like this guy. But this is what Garcia and his polarising pals do.
NOW READ: The PGA Tour’s search for some personality led to Dan Brown of Yorkshire, and he delivered
What do you make of this Sergio Garcia behaviour debate, and the wider discussion on athletes and their conduct? Tell us on Facebook and in the comments below!
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