sport news Sergio Garcia launched into EXPLOSIVE locker-room rant branding the DP World ... trends now
Sergio Garcia has further cemented his position as one of golf's biggest Saudi pariahs following a reported explosive locker-room rant at the BMW International last week in the wake of being fined and banned from playing the Scottish Open.
The Spaniard is one of 16 DP World Tour members who were each fined £100,000 and banned from next week's Genesis Scottish Open and two other events co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour after playing at the inaugural LIV Golf event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
The 16 players, including the 42-year-old and his fellow Ryder Cup heroes Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, are threatening legal action against the Tour.
Although the Saudi rebels are yet to face an official ban from the Ryder Cup as part of their punishment, the fine and the suspension from next week's event were enough to rile up Garcia, according to The Telegraph.
A pleading player who wished to remain anonymous told the publication: 'The news [of the ban] came out during last week's BMW International [in Munich].
'Sergio flew off the handle, shouting 'this Tour is s***, you're all f****d, should have taken the Saudi money'. Bob MacIntyre was there and was disgusted.'
'Sergio's reputation had taken quite a hammering anyway before this but this has sealed it for many of us,' the player added.
'The rant in America the other month was one thing, but this is his home Tour, where he started and he shouldn't forget that. Fair enough, he's taken the money. But he doesn't have to rub other players' noses in it.'
Sergio Garcia reportedly launched into an explosive locker-room rant at the BMW Invitational
It comes in the wake of the DP World Tour's fine and ban from the Scottish Open to LIV rebels
Sportsmail has contacted both Garcia and MacIntyre's management for comment and while neither has yet responded, the Scot posted a subtle Tweet later during the tournament.
The 25-year-old wrote: 'Amazing how fast you can lose respect for someone that you've looked up to all your life.'
The incident is said to be the talk of the Irish Open at Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny where there is already an ugly atmosphere towards the defectors threatening legal action against the Tour, who have been branded the 'Sour 16'.
Robert MacIntyre was reportedly present during Garcia's rant and later took to social media
Garcia had previously lost his cool during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship in May.
The 2017 Masters champion was caught moaning about the PGA Tour after being informed by a rules official that he had exceeded the three-minute time limit to look for his ball and therefore the ball was treated as lost, despite having found it.
He went on to make par on the hole following a penalty drop but let slip that he was set to jump ship to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.
'I can't wait to leave this tour. I can't wait to get out of here, my friend,' Garcia was overheard saying.
'A couple of more weeks and I won't have to deal with you any more.'
The Spaniard lost his cool after an incorrect ruling following a search for his ball in deep rough and blurted out: 'A couple of more weeks and I won't have to deal with you any more'
Four weeks later, Garcia's wish was granted as he resigned from the PGA Tour to play the inaugural event of the LIV Golf Series at the Centurion Club in St Albans.
Garcia suggested his resignation was in anticipation of a potential legal threat from the PGA Tour in response to the rebels' involvement with the breakaway league, saying: 'I don't want to get into any legal battles with anyone.'
When asked why he was not also quitting the DP World Tour in addition to the PGA, Garcia replied: 'First of all, I'm European, I love the European Tour. I definitely would like to keep my membership there, play at least my minimum, and get as good a chance as I can to make The Ryder Cup Team because I love that event.'
Garcia's complaints have reportedly been met with little sympathy by his fellow professionals, with his vocal and public support for the DP World Tour - formerly the European Tour - seemingly falling on deaf ears.
The Spaniard's vocal and public support for the DP World Tour seemingly falling on deaf ears
'He has been stressing how greatly he has supported the Tour over the last few years, but when was the last time he showed up at a regular event without getting paid from a promoter or sponsor,' a Tour insider also told The Telegraph.
'He hasn't played in the flagship event at Wentworth [the BMW PGA Championship] in eight years and since 2017 has actually appeared in fewer Rolex Series events than [American] Patrick Reed. And now he's trying to act as if he's been Mr Europe. Let's just say there is not an overload of sympathy for his argument.'
The 42-year-old is a Ryder Cup stalwart and was expected to be captain in the near future
Golf's rebel series, financed by $2billion of cash from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and fronted by former world No 1 Greg
