Big Break Ponte Vedra: Tiger & Sergio In Raucous Row!
/Ron Sirak breaks down in entertaining fashion what he claims could have been a "Big Break" episode between Tiger and Sergio (I, in year six of my strict doctor-ordered Big Break diet, cannot say for sure if this is an appropriate metaphor).
The Showdown At Sawgrass went something like this: Sergio is going for the par-5 second green, Tiger pulls his club on a par-5 as Sergio is hitting but he can't see Sergio hitting. Sergio, as he's known to do, heard the crowd reaction to Tiger pulling driver and well, we have ourselves an episode!
"It was my shot to hit," Garcia said on NBC during the weather delay that halted play with the two on the seventh hole. "He moved all the crowd that he needed to move, and I waited for that. I want to say that he didn't see that I was ready. But you do have a feel when the other guy is going to hit. Right as I was on top of the backswing . . . everybody started screaming, so that didn't help very much. It was unfortunate."
And Tiger showed that if the golf thing doesn't work out, he can always star in a reality show.
"Well, the marshals, they told me he already hit, so I pulled a club and was getting ready to play my shot, and then I hear his comments afterwards and [it's] not real surprising that he's complaining about something," Woods said. Asked if they discussed the matter, Woods said: "We didn't do a lot of talking."
On Twitter, former Tiger instructor Butch Harmon just found the whole thing so unfortunate. Right Butch, right.
Sorry to hear that Woods & Garcia are trading words thru the media. If they have a problem they should talk it out in private .
— Butch Harmon (@43BH) May 12, 2013
The eleven minutes of Golf Channel's Live At roundup include a split screen that backs up Sergio's version of events along with some strong reactions from Lerner, Nobilo and Chamblee apparently broadcasting from an executive VP's office at tour headquarters.
Frank Nobilo – “The word respect. Tiger Woods respects Sergio Garcia and his ability to play this game. Sergio Garcia respects and admires Tiger Woods’ ability to play this game and his resume. Like? No. Respect? Yes.
Brandel Chamblee – “It certainly makes for the next three holes these guys play in what is the third round, far more interesting. And should they get paired together? Well, we might have those fireworks.”
Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) – “Where is Vince McMahon when you need him.”
Golf Channel will pick up the conclusion of round 3 live Sunday at 7 am ET.
**More from Sergio, courtesy of Bob Harig's account:
"I'm not going to lie,'' Garcia said after completing the third round in a three-way tie for the lead with Woods and David Lingmerth. "He's not my favorite guy to play with. He's not the nicest guy on tour.''
Later, Garcia told the Golf Channel: "It's good for both of us. We don't enjoy each other's company. You don't have to be a rocket engineer to figure that out.''