“Sergio Garcia Accuses Rory McIlroy of ‘Lacking Maturity’ Over Rift”
Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia were once close friends. They competed together on the 2014 Ryder Cup team, and McIlroy was even a groomsman at Garcia's 2017 wedding. But their friendship has deteriorated since Garcia joined the LIV Golf Series last June.[0]
Now, Garcia is taking a swipe back at McIlroy, claiming it is the Northern Irishman who is “lacking maturity” for ending their friendship over LIV Golf.[1]
In an interview with the Telegraph, Garcia said that he was “very sad” about the end of their friendship.[2] He added that he thought it was very immature of McIlroy to throw away their friendship just because he decided to go to a different tour.[3]
“I don’t have a problem with him. He’s the one that has a problem,” Garcia said.[4] If he desires to make amends, I am open to discussion, however, I am uncertain if he will lower himself to that extent.[4]
McIlroy recently revealed that he had deleted Garcia's phone number off his phone and the Spaniard texted him ‘basically telling me to shut up about LIV, blah, blah, blah'.[5] McIlroy, arguably the loudest critic of LIV Golf, said he was “pretty offended” and sent “him back a couple of daggers” in response.[4]
When asked in Dubai three weeks ago if he thought it might be a good idea to make up with Garcia, McIlroy replied with a curt “No”.[6]
Should the LIV players be successful in their arbitration case, thus enabling them to stay on the DP World Tour, the discord between the two players may be exacerbated.[7] It would allow Garcia (the all-time Ryder Cup points leader) and the other LIV members to earn points toward automatic qualification for the Ryder Cup, or play well enough to attract the attention of European captain Luke Donald, who has six wildcard selections at his disposal.[8]
Garcia expressed his willingness to smooth things over, yet it seems unlikely that a resolution will come to pass.[9] “Their best days are behind them.[10] Nothing has been done differently.[10] They have decided that.[10]
0. “Sergio Garcia: ‘Immature' Rory McIlroy ruined our friendship” National Club Golfer, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/sergio-garcia-immature-rory-mcilroy-ruined-friendship
1. “Sergio Garcia rips Rory McIlroy over ‘sad' end to friendship: ‘Lacking maturity'” New York Post , 24 Feb. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/02/23/sergio-garcia-rips-rory-mcilroy-over-sad-end-to-friendship/
2. “Sergio Garcia rips into Rory McIlroy, says he's… – bunkered.co.uk” bunkered, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/sergio-garcia-rips-into-rory-mcilroy-says-hes-lacking-maturity
3. “LIV Golf: Sergio Garcia calls out Rory McIlroy for lacking maturity” Golfweek, 24 Feb. 2023, https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/24/liv-golf-news-rory-mcilroy-lacking-maturity-sergio-garcia/
4. “Sergio Garcia: Rory McIlroy's lack of maturity ended our friendship” The Telegraph, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2023/02/23/sergio-garcia-rory-mcilroys-lack-maturity-ended-friendship
5. “Sergio Garcia Rips ‘Immature' Rory McIlroy, Makes It Clear That Their Friendship Is No More” OutKick , 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.outkick.com/sergio-garcia-rory-mcilroy-immature-friendship-over-liv-golf
6. “LIV Golf’s Sergio Garcia faults Rory McIlroy for ‘lacking maturity’ as friendship sours” Fox News, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/liv-golfs-sergio-garcia-faults-rory-mcilroy-lacking-maturity-friendship-sours
7. “Garcia accuses McIlroy of ‘lacking maturity' over LIV tour” RTE.ie, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2023/0224/1358734-garcia-accuses-mcilroy-of-lacking-maturity-over-liv
8. “Sergio Garcia: Rory McIlroy ‘lacking maturity'” Yardbarker, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.yardbarker.com/golf/articles/sergio_garcia_rory_mcilroy_lacking_maturity/s1_17051_38506315
9. “Sergio Garcia accuses Rory McIlroy of ‘lacking maturity' over LIV tour” The Irish Times, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/2023/02/24/sergio-garcia-accuses-rory-mcilroy-of-lacking-maturity-over-liv-tour
10. “Sergio Garcia says Rory McIlroy is ‘lacking maturity'” msnNOW, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/golf/sergio-garcia-says-rory-mcilroy-is-lacking-maturity/ar-AA17S2de
