Sergio García needs to stop taking swipes for the good of his reputation

T here once was a swashbuckling young Spaniard named Sergio. When Señor García burst on to the golf scene more than two decades ago, there was excitement about a player who was carefree on the course and had a twinkle in his eye off it. The expectation was that García would win a lot more than the solitary major that has come his way – the 2017 Masters – but a combined 27 victories between the DP World and PGA Tours still make the 43-year-old one of the finest players of his generation.

We are, however, entitled to ask why life apparently turned so sour for García. Going by the guide books, his 2022 switch to LIV Golf should have afforded him professional harmony. The rebel tour has been handed fresh impetus by the success of Brooks Koepka at the US PGA Championship.

Much like Newcastle United’s rise with Saudi Arabian backing, this is of course precisely how sportswashing works; ignore the organ grinders, bask in the achievement. Yet LIV, which is so desperately in need of traction, will inevitably focus on Koepka’s glory at Oak Hill.

García, meanwhile, is as crotchety as ever. Last week, when asked if he had spoken to Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, García played his latest victim card. “I talked to him two or three weeks ago,” García said. “Obviously I had to make some decisions when it comes down to the DP World Tour and I wanted to see where I stood in regards to the Ryder Cup.

“I wanted him to be sincere and tell me the truth and he pretty much told me that I had no chance. Obviously that made my decision a little bit easier. It was sad because I felt like not only because of my history but the way I’ve been playing, that I probably could have a chance, but it didn’t sound like it, so that’s what it is.”