Sergio Garcia has found further support with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley following last month’s inadvertent racist comments directed at 14-time Major winning Tiger Woods.
Firstly, Colin Montgomerie stepped forward supporting Garcia and now McGinley has joined the chous of support for the Spaniard.
However McGinley fears Garcia’s remarks may come at a cost in that it will clearly motivate Woods ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup.
“I think there’s a personality clash and they don’t particularly like each other’s company,” said McGinley on BBC Radio 5 Live today (Tues).
- Paul McGinley comes out in support of Sergio Garcia but fears the controversy could inspire Tiger Woods to more great heights. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“So for me, it’s no big deal.”
Woods had labelled Garcia’s remark – ‘wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate’.
After competing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Garcia said he had attempted to contact Woods to apologise again but was told to wait until next month’s US Open.
“We talked to his manager and we asked him if he wanted us to call Tiger, obviously if he gives us the number, or wait for Merion and do it there face-to-face, and they said they would rather do it there,” Garcia said.
“So there’s nothing else we can do, so we’ll wait until we get there and we’ll talk.”
Garcia has represented Europe at six Ryder Cups, with the next event taking place at Gleneagles in September 2014.
Asked if he would have to consider leaving him out if the event was next month, McGinley added: “I don’t think so.
“I’d have to weigh up all the options and seek counsel.
“I was there when Sergio made the comment. He apologised for it and, as far as I’m concerned, we move on.
“People make mistakes and say things all the time that they regret and didn’t mean. Sergio was very remorseful about it and we move on.”
McGinley does believe Garcia’s remark will fire up Woods ahead of the next Ryder Cup.
“Woods is a guy who, when he finds himself under pressure, always performs much better,” he added.
