I have no problems with anyone’ – Garcia on a potential master’s dinner clumsiness
With the busy 2023 golf calendar in full swing, it won’t be long before the world’s elite head down Magnolia Lane for the first men’s major of the year, The Masters.
It’s a tournament even non-golf fans are tuning in to, with Augusta National hosting what should be an engaging watch, especially this year, with Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley recently confirming that invitations to all LIV golfers who have actually qualified will go.
WHAT IS LIV GOLF?
Obviously, the history of the LIV Golf League has been the biggest topic of conversation over the last 18 months and with the league’s players getting to take part in the first major of the year, many have wondered how they will receive when they hit with their peers from the early April PGA Tour on.
Tiger Woods, the five-time Green Jacket winner, admitted he “don’t know what that reaction is going to be” while Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, joked that Bubba Watson, who runs the RangeGoats at the LIV circuit, joked , would “have a separate table for him” at the Champions Dinner. (opens in new tab). Apparently Scottie was joking about it.
There are currently six LIV players who have won The Masters, including Sergio Garcia, who famously shagged the first playoff hole to break the Major duck. When asked about Tuesday night’s champions dinner and if it would be uncomfortable, the Spaniard replied: “I don’t know. You have to ask who is uncomfortable.”
Garcia celebrates after potting the winning putt at the 2017 Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Garcia has been arguably one of the most outspoken people when it comes to the LIV Golf League, with the 43-year-old falling out with longtime friend Rory McIlroy after Garcia joined the Saudi-backed series in June 2022. Later that year it was reported by The Telegraph (opens in new tab) that the Spaniard made a bad breath at the BMW International Open, in which he allegedly exclaimed: “This tour (DP World) sucks, you all suck.” He later denied these allegations.
Speaking in Tucson, the second LIV event of 2023, Garcia announced that “I’m going to feel good” about the Champions Dinner, adding: “I don’t have problems with anyone and I try not to make a big deal out of it. I’ll be there because I deserve it, because I deserve it, and I’ll enjoy it. I hope the rest of the guys do the same.
A previous Masters winner who might feel differently is Fred Couples, who recently dubbed Garcia a “clown” for complaining about the PGA Tour before joining LIV.
When asked about the couples’ comments, the 2017 Masters winner simply said, “I don’t know. You would probably have to ask her. I think at the end of the day we are where we want to be. We like being here and that’s the most important thing for us.
“Everyone what are they saying? Everyone has an opinion just like the other thing. Obviously everyone will be talking. At the end of the day we’re very happy where we are. We love the product. You just have to see what’s out here.” going on. So just go ask her.”
