Jon Rahm has received a strong warning about the influence that Sergio Garcia has on him after the 46-year-old’s poor behavior at Augusta National last week.
Rahm and Garcia both endured terribly frustrating tournaments at The Masters last week.
Both players made the cut at Augusta National but were complete non-entities over the weekend.
Rahm posted a final round 68 to finish in a tie for 38th at The Masters but his fellow Spaniard endured a nightmare final day at Augusta National.
Garcia carded a round of 75 to finish third from last out of the players who made the cut. However, it was his abysmal behavior during the round that left such a sour taste in everyone’s mouths.
On Sunday, Garcia was reprimanded by Masters officials after damaging the second tee at Augusta National.
His arrogant post-round interview did not do him any favors either, and now Rahm has been warned about Garcia’s influence on him.
Jon Rahm warned by fellow Tour pro about Sergio Garcia
Garcia has just been labelled as a bad influence on Rahm.
DP World Tour pro Eddie Pepperell was speaking on the Chipping Forecast Podcast about The Masters, when he embarked on a rant about Garcia’s behavior at Augusta national last week.
“I think there’s a difference doing it with Augusta,“ he said.
“It shows a slightly higher level of psychopathy than I’m comfortable with.
“And I think that’s where you can really reveal something about your character that maybe shouldn’t be revealed.
“And that’s aimed at Bob [MacIntyre] as much as it’s aimed at Sergio, frankly, and Tyrrell [Hatton] with his comments over the years.
“That place should command utmost respect and behaviour. And if you can’t do it there, then there’s seemingly no way you can do it.”
“But Sergio, once again, not covering himself in glory. Love him as a golfer, but as is so often the case, he’s just a childish brat, frankly, on the course.”
“And while I’m on a rant – this is the guy that Jon Rahm spends a lot of time with on LIV.
“So we look at the way he then corresponds with the DP World Tour and his position on this – you’ve got to be careful who you surround yourself with in life.
“And Jon should be asking himself some questions on that front, in my view, because he’s not a good influence.“
Sergio Garcia’s statement about his behavior at Augusta National
Garcia made things even worse for himself with his childlike, petulant behavior during his post-round interview.
He must have been told by his management company and sponsors that he had to rectify that immediately.
And so, Garcia released an apology via his social media channels on Tuesday.
“I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday at The Masters tournament,“ Garcia said.
“I respect and value everything that The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game.
“It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for The Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.“
