Garcia Returns To Saudi Arabia Drawing On Shawshank Redeption ‘I’m A Changed Man’ Line .

6 years ago by Comments Off on Garcia Returns To Saudi Arabia Drawing On Shawshank Redeption ‘I’m A Changed Man’ Line .

Saudia Arabia ..  Sergio Garcia, and like the one of many standout lines from The Shawshank Redemption, admitting he’s a changed man in returning to Saudi Arabi.

Twelve months ago, the former Masters champ was thrown out of the inaugural $3.5m event Saudi International for wilfully damaging the Royal Greens Club putting greens.

The Spaniard was disqualified under Rule 1.2a after he was found to have damaged at least five putting surfaces during Saturday’s third round on a one-over par 71.

And when Garcia’s fellow competitors in the groups behind complained to the Tour of damage to the greens, European Tour CEO Keith Pelley took over in speaking with Garcia after his round ahead of the decision made to DQ the 15-time European Tour winner.

Garcia then issued a statement apologising for his actions and stating it was the result of frustration.

The Tour came under fire from many observers and called into question, and given Garcia’s long history of such actions, in not disqualifying the Spaniard.

Twelve months on, it seems all is forgiven and the now World No. 42 has been welcomed back to Saudi Arabia, and in the process we remember Red’s (Morgan Freeman) great line when asked by the State Parole Board on two occasions over the course of 20-years whether he feels been rehabitated after so many years behind bars.

Red declares:  “I can honestly say I am a changed man’.

And it seems so too is Sergio.

“Looking back on what happened last year, it was tough and it is something that you never want to be a part of, and it kind of catches you by surprise.

“It was just an unfortunate thing that happened.  The only thing I can do is keep working on my own family and on my game, and try to do the best I can.”

Garcia’s Saudi saga was not the only controversy in 2019 with the Spaniard involved in an incident some six-weeks later with Matt Kuchar at a Tour spot in Texas while Garcia hurled his driver in disgust after a poor drive during the final round at The Open.

Sergio Garcia now apologies in person for his actions at the 2019 Saudi International

Then in September Garcia landed a 35th pro career win with his success at the KLM Open.

He said:  “I think there is a lesson for all of us as we’ve all grown-up around golf and when something happens like last year there is not too many places you can hide as there is so many eyes on you.

“Personally, you want to play the best but you can but then at the same time you want to do really well at your chosen sport.

“It can be a thin line between doing really well and getting frustrated here-and-there.

“So, it can happen to all of us and at the end of the day we are all human and that can happen and you just try to learn from your mistakes and become better.”

Garcia turned 40 earlier this month and in April, he and wife Angela are expecting their second child, a boy.

 



Comments are closed.