I’ve noticed something curious lately: golf’s polished image is fraying at the edges.
Watching prominent players lose their cool on courses—destroying gear, ripping up tee boxes—feels jarringly out of place.
From the Open at Royal Portrush to the US Open, these outbursts are becoming all-too-common viral content.
Sergio Garcia Proves Even Champions Crack
Once a fan-favorite at majors and Ryder Cups, Sergio Garcia seems to be a different man these days.
Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, he’s paid handsomely but slipped into golf’s shadows.
Last week’s moment at Portrush—where he snapped a driver in half after a bad tee shot—was as shocking as it was sad.
Yes, he shot a respectable 68 afterward, but the tantrum overshadowed his play.
Fury Isn’t Just Limited to Garcia
Garcia’s outburst is just one among many. Wyndham Clark was caught on camera wrecking Oakmont’s locker room before getting suspended.
Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have both had moments smashing equipment—Koepka even nearly hit fans with wreckage at a LIV event in Dallas.
Tyrrell Hatton’s rants and driver-destroying habits are so notorious that they earned him a Sky Sports feature titled “Tyrrell Hatton, the angry golfer.”
Bob MacIntyre’s Example Isn’t Always Exemplary
Scotland’s rising star Bob MacIntyre isn’t immune either.
He admits losing his temper on the course—he’s thrown clubs and whacked his own golf bag in frustration.
And while he’s been generous with autograph signings and interactions off course, his public meltdowns undercut the positive image he cultivates.
What Message Are We Sending Young Golfers?
Golf prides itself on decorum—replacing divots, raking bunkers, shouting “fore,” shaking hands.
When elite players start flinging clubs and trashing property, what happens to that ethos? These actions aren’t harmless jokes—they’re pollution on a well-maintained fairway.
Pros should set standards, not break them.
Scottie Scheffler Is Great, But Let’s Not Make Him Tiger
Scottie Scheffler’s been nearly unbeatable lately, but tossing him into the Tiger Woods pantheon feels premature.
Tiger redefined golf with charisma and drama—winning by six shots still felt historic.
Scheffler wins regularly, but his personality lacks that spark.
Plus, many of his rivals are off at LIV events, thinning the field.
Four majors before 30 is impressive, but other players were churning out wins earlier (Jordan Spieth had three by age 23). Tiger remains in a class of his own.
Josh Taylor’s Rise and Fall Welds Remembrance and Respect
Turning to boxing, I can’t forget Josh Taylor—Scotland’s light-welterweight legend.
His reign as undisputed champion was nothing short of spectacular.
But the sport took its toll, culminating in a heartbreaking loss this past May. Still, his decline shouldn’t eclipse how brilliant he was at his peak.
Not every athlete’s legacy is defined by how they end—it’s often about the peak moments that inspired many.