'Garcia should clarify 'leave this Tour' comments' | 'He sounded ungrateful'

Sergio Garcia received an apology from the PGA Tour for the penalty he received at the Wells Fargo Championship, although the Spaniard continues to face criticism for his on-course comments about a probable move to the Saudi-backed rival circuit.

Garcia sent his tee shot into the hazard at TPC Potomac's par-five 10th hole during an opening-round 67, with a PGA Tour rules official informing him that he exceeded the three-minute time limit to search for his ball by the time it had been found.

The Ryder Cup legend protested the decision, suggesting the time had been started too early, with the on-course microphones picking up comments by Garcia suggesting he will soon be competing away from the PGA Tour.

"I can't wait to leave this Tour," Garcia was caught saying by an on-course microphone. "I can't wait to get out of here, my friend. A couple of more weeks and I won't have to deal with you anymore."

The comments were likely a reference to the forthcoming LIV Golf Invitational Series, with Garcia among the players requesting a release to compete in the opening event at Centurion Club in Hertfordshire from June 9-11.

The PGA Tour later released a statement admitting that the referee had not taken into consideration the time taken by Garcia to reach the area where his ball was thought to be, which would have prevented it from being declared as lost and the subsequent penalty drop.

The statement said: "To clarify, the time spent by Garcia trying to access the other side of the creek should have delated the start of the search time clock, and the ball would have still been "in play" if not for that error.

"Garcia was informed of the developments following round. Under the Rules of Golf, Garcia's score does not change despite