Royal & Ancient officials refused to discipline Spanish youngster Sergio
Garcia tonight after his demolition of an offending divot hole on the ninth
hole of the Old Course at St Andrews during the third round of the Open.
The 20-year-old was seen by millions of TV viewers hacking the ground
violently with his club after collecting his third bad lie on the outward
half, and he only calmed down after a stern talking-to from European Tour
official John Paramor who was in charge of his match.
Afterwards, Garcia, who slumped to a one-over par 73 to stand 10 strokes
behind runaway leader Tiger Woods, admitted:
"I think I probably did wrong.
But then so did the person who left those divots out on the course.
"You have to realise that you're
Sergio Garcia showing his frustration after missing a putt on the 3rd. Allsport.
playing in the Open and you're right in
there and playing well, it's frustrating. You don't expect shots right in the
middle of the fairway to end up like that leaving you with no shot. It was
like being in a bunker but only six inches long.
"Not everyone can play on Venus and show no reaction. Now I've just got to
produce a good round tomorrow and try to get back up the near the top."
Paramor was unavailable to confirm whether Garcia was liable to disciplinary
action as a member of the European Tour. However, the R&A said they were not
interested in pursuing the matter further, especially as Garcia eventually
repaired the damage he inflicted.
