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The Spaniard was overheard on a television feed Thursday telling
a rules official at the Wells Fargo Championship that he "can't
wait to leave" the PGA Tour.
In Garcia's first round at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in
Potomac, Md., his drive at the par-5 10th hole went out of
bounds. He grew frustrated with a rules official when he was
told he did not find his ball in the allotted time, forcing him
to take a drop.
"I can't wait to leave this tour. Can't wait to get outta here,"
Garcia said, later adding, "Just a couple more weeks and I won't
have to deal with you anymore."
His agent then confirmed to the New York Post that Garcia had
applied for a release to compete at LIV's first event next month
in London.
Garcia was one of many high-profile names rumored to be involved
with the controversial, Saudi-backed LIV series, spearheaded by
Greg Norman as the CEO.
Phil Mickelson, Robert Garrigus and Englishmen Lee Westwood and
Richard Bland were the only other golfers publicly known to have
applied for a waiver to compete at the first event, though
Mickelson's representatives said he hasn't made up his mind
about playing.
Norman confirmed in an interview with ESPN that "more than 200
players" have registered for the first event (which will only
feature 48 players), including "about 15" of the top 100 in the
Official World Golf Ranking and two former world No. 1s, one of
which was Westwood.
Garcia, 42, has won 36 times worldwide, including 11 wins on the
PGA Tour. His biggest career victories came at The Players
Championship in 2008 and the Masters in 2017, his only major
title.
Garcia holed out for eagle at the par-4 14th and shot a
3-under-par 67 on Thursday.
--Field Level Media
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