Portrush, Northern Ireland — July 20, 2025
Sergio Garcia, the fiery Spanish golfer known as much for his passion as his prowess, made headlines once again during the third round of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush — but not for the reasons he’d have hoped.
After sending a tee shot deep into the rough on the 16th hole, Garcia’s frustration boiled over. In a moment that was quickly captured by cameras and went viral on social media, the 2017 Masters champion snapped his driver over his knee in a flash of visible rage.
The shot in question was a wild hook that sailed far left of the fairway, putting Garcia in a nearly impossible position for his approach. Moments after the ball landed, Garcia gave a quick shake of the head before taking the club in both hands and breaking it across his leg with practiced ease. The head of the driver tumbled to the grass as stunned fans watched in silence.
Though emotional outbursts are not uncommon in professional golf, especially under the pressure of a major, Garcia’s dramatic gesture highlighted the mounting frustration of a player whose week has not gone according to plan. Coming into the round just outside the top 40, Garcia was hoping to mount a charge — but erratic driving and missed opportunities had left him well out of contention.
This is not the first time Garcia’s temperament has grabbed headlines. Over the years, he’s been known for animated reactions to poor shots, on-course rants, and occasional club abuse. While some fans see it as passion, others view it as a lack of sportsmanship.
Tournament officials confirmed that Garcia replaced the broken driver under the rules, but would be without a custom-fitted backup until after the round. “It’s not ideal,” said his caddie, Glen Murray, after the round. “But you have to keep going. Sergio wears his heart on his sleeve, and sometimes that comes out.”
Garcia declined to speak with reporters immediately after his round but later posted a brief statement on social media: “Tough day out there. Frustrations got the best of me. Not proud of how I handled that moment — I’ll be better tomorrow.”
With little hope of contending for the Claret Jug, Garcia will likely look to finish the final round with dignity — and all of his clubs intact.
Still, the image of the snapped driver lying forlornly in the Northern Irish grass will linger as one of the more unforgettable moments from this year’s Open.
