Sergio Garcia is the latest player to all but confirm his intention to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series after he was caught on camera saying he "can't wait to leave this tour" following a rules incident at the Wells Fargo Championship.
The outburst comes just a fortnight after the Spaniard was heavily linked with the breakaway circuit, with The Telegraph reporting that the 42-year-old has applied to the PGA Tour for a release to play in the $25 million series opener.
Teeing off in the afternoon wave, Garcia posted a solid opening nine before arriving at the par-5 10th at one-under for the day. However, after pulling his drive into the thick stuff, he wasn't able to locate his golf ball.
After a search, the 42-year-old's ball was eventually found before a PGA Tour rules official stated that it was outside the allotted time of three minutes. Following the incident, Garcia was visibly angry and made his feelings known to the rules official.
He said: "I can't wait to leave this tour. A couple more weeks and I won't have to deal with you [the referee] anymore." Watch the video below:
Sergio Garcia, frustrated with what he thought was the early start of the clock to look for a lost ball, seemingly telling a rules official……I cant wait to leave this tour…cant wait to get outta here…just a couple more weeks until I don’t have to deal with you any more pic.twitter.com/k1qRRYbmsFMay 5, 2022
Ironically, after taking a drop, Garcia salvaged a par five and went on to post a three-under 69 after holing his second shot on the par-4 15th with a trademark laser-like iron shot. He sits four behind overnight leader Jason Day.
Following the round, it was revealed by Garcia's management team that the 42-year-old had requested a release to tee it up at Centurion Club on the 9th - 11th June, with the full field still to be announced.
