PGA Tour Implements Code of Conduct Policy at Masters Following Sergio Garcia Incident

Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, damaged the tee box on the second hole and broke his driver during the first round of the Masters on Sunday morning. His tee shot on the second hole went into a fairway bunker after a bogey on the first hole.

Garcia struck the ground with his club twice, causing damage to the tee box, and then hit his driver against a nearby cooler, breaking it near the head.

The incident occurred after Garcia's follow-through on his first shot of the day veered to the right. He received a warning for violating the code of conduct. Due to the damage resulting from abuse, Garcia cannot replace his driver during the tournament.

The PGA Tour has developed a code of conduct policy for competitions, with the Masters serving as the first event to implement it, according to the Associated Press. A source speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, citing respect for Augusta National's management of the tournament, stated that the policy includes penalties for violations.

The second violation carries a two-shot penalty, and the third results in disqualification.

Policy Expansion to Other Majors The PGA Championship plans to adopt the same code of conduct policy.

The other two major tournaments are likely to follow suit. This development aims to standardize behavior expectations across professional golf events. The policy's introduction at the Masters highlights efforts to address on-course conduct.

Players and officials will need to adhere to these rules in future competitions. The incident involving Garcia underscores the policy's immediate application.