Sergio Garcia savaged for 'pathetic ' act amid LIV Golf furore

Sergio Garcia faces a fine from the DP World Tour unless he can provide emergency reasons or “medical evidence deemed reasonable” for withdrawing from last week's BMW PGA Championship after the first round.

The LIV Golf star was a controversial inclusion in the event won by Ireland's Shane Lowry, with a decision in the UK allowing Garcia and 17 other members of the rebel circuit to play in the tournament in Surrey.

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Having ruffled the feathers of many of his peers on the PGA Tour by playing in the first place, Garcia then pulled out of the tournament after a poor first-round 76.

The Spaniard's withdrawal - so far without any explanation given - was even harder to fathom because it meant he denied Jon Rahm's good friend Alfredo García-Heredia the chance to play.

García-Heredia - was the first reserve for the tournament and ultimately missed out on what has been described as a "career-changing week” because of the presence of the LIV players.

García-Heredia is fighting to be part of the tour next year and his involvement in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth could have been crucial to that.

Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir reported: “Jon Rahm told me on Tuesday it was particularly personal for him that certain players were in the field this week as his good friend Alfredo García-Heredia was first reserve.

“Had Sergio García withdrawn before his opening round rather than after it, AGH would have played.”

Officials have confirmed they were given no reason for Garcia's withdrawal and have threatened to fine the player unless he provides them with a suitable one.

To make matters worse, hours after Garcia pulled out of the event he was spotted some 8,000 kilometres away at a college football game in Texas.

The Spaniard could be seen posing for photos at the football game in a move that has been described as "selfish" and "pathetic" across the golfing world.

Golf WRX writer Matt Vincenzi wrote: “Disappointed in Sergio Garcia this week. Had a chance to go out and prove he’s still a competitor. Instead he played terribly then quit. Pathetic.”

Edinburgh Evening News golf writer Martin Dempster added: “Sergio Garcia showed utter contempt to the DP World Tour players by posing for a photo at US college football game after withdrawing from the BMW PGA Championship following the opening round.

“How can someone who was a legend in European golf lose all respect for being so utterly selfish!”

Shane Lowry's LIV Golf swipe after win

Lowry hailed his victory at Wentworth as "one for the good guys" after producing a flawless performance to edge out Ryder Cup teammates Rahm and Rory McIlroy.

Rahm had set a testing clubhouse target of 16 under par following a stunning final round of 62 on Sunday, the former US Open champion carding two eagles and seven birdies and covering the back nine in just 29 despite a bogey on the 15th.

However, Lowry responded with an eagle and five birdies of his own in a closing 65 to finish 17 under, the former Open champion not carding a single bogey in a tournament reduced to 54 holes following the cancellation of Friday's play after the death of the Queen.

McIlroy found himself needing to eagle the 18th to force a play-off with Lowry but agonisingly saw his putt from 23 feet finish millimetres right of the hole.

American Talor Gooch was the best-placed of the 18 LIV golfers in fourth - and Lowry had said at the start of the week that he "can't stand" them being in the field.

"I made no secret how I feel about the whole thing," Lowry said.

"I wanted to win for myself first and foremost, but for everyone that has stayed loyal to this Tour, I really feel this is one for the good guys."

Lowry, who had finished runner-up to McIlroy at Wentworth in 2014, added: "It means a lot.

"It's been a good year, but felt like I've been close a few times and only a few tournaments left this season and I really wanted to win one and this was top of the list.

"I'm so happy. I can't put into words how happy I am, how much I love this tour, this tournament. I'm the happiest man in the world right now."

with agencies

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