'Controversial Golf Rule'... 'Garcia 3-Minute Overtime Dispute'

Occurrence at the 10th Hole of Round 1 in the Wells Fargo Championship

Sergio Garcia (Spain, photo) ‘exploded’ because of golf rules.

Garcia clashed with a rules official at the 10th hole (par 5) during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship (total prize money $9 million) held last May at Potomac TPC in Maryland, USA (par 70, 7,107 yards). He hit his tee shot beyond a creek on the left side of the fairway and searched for the ball for a long time before finding it. However, the official approached and penalized him for exceeding the allowed ball search time.

Garcia protested that the official had started the ball search time too early, but his objection was not accepted. Ultimately, he took the penalty as instructed by the official and continued playing. Garcia expressed his frustration, saying, "I want to leave this tour quickly," and "In just a few weeks, I won’t have to argue with you (the officials) anymore." Garcia finished the tournament tied for 21st place (even par 280).

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) reduced the allowed time to search for a lost ball from 5 minutes to 3 minutes to speed up the pace of play. If the ball is not found within the time limit, it is considered a lost ball.

Garcia, who caused the time controversy at the Wells Fargo Championship, joined LIV Golf, supported by Saudi Arabia, one month later in June last year. Garcia emerged like a comet when he finished runner-up at the major PGA Championship in 1999 at the age of 19. While also playing on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), he won a total of 11 PGA Tour titles. In 2017, he won his first major championship at the Masters, known as the ‘Tournament of Champions.’