Sergio Garcia responds after Fred Couples brands him ‘a clown’

Sergio Garcia has responded to being called a ‘clown’ by fellow Masters champion Fred Couples. 

Speaking at an event to promote the Hoag Classic on the PGA Tour Champions, Couples hit out at players who have jumped ship for the LIV Golf League, demanding they “stop blasting something I’ve been a part of for 42 years”. 

“That’s my problem with LIV players,” said the American. “They’re all bashing the PGA Tour, and that affects me a little bit.”  

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Couples also took aim at some of the more high-profile players competing on the Saudi-funded enterprise, saying he was annoyed by “all these other clowns, like Sergio”.   

Speaking to Sports Illustrated during this week’s LIV event in Arizona, Garcia hit back. 

“It’s what it is,” said the Spaniard “It’s disappointing because I don’t know where he’s going with this. But it’s Freddie so he can say whatever he wants and then we can say whatever we want.  

“I think at the end of the day his life is his life and my life in this case is my life. So, I don’t think he should comment on what me or any of these other guys should have done because we didn’t tell him what he had to do.” 

Fred Couples and Sergio Garcia are likely to come face to face in a fortnight’s time when they attend the Champions Dinner at The Masters.  

With six LIV players eligible to attend, the evening has the potential to be awkward. Garcia was asked about that, too. 

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“I don’t know,” he said. “You’ll have to ask whoever is going to feel awkward. I’m going to feel fine. I don’t have any problems with anyone, and I try not to make a big deal out of it. 

“I’m going to be there because I earned it, because I deserve it, and I’m going to enjoy it. I hope the rest of the guys do the same.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor