Sergio Garcia Criticizes Tiger Woods and Reflects on Their Turbulent History

Sergio Garcia, a prominent figure in LIV Golf, has openly discussed his complicated relationship with Tiger Woods, revealing lingering tensions and past conflicts.

During a recent appearance on No Bad Lies with comedian Andrew Santino, Garcia didn’t hold back when describing Woods. “He’s not my favorite guy to play with,” Garcia said. “He’s not the nicest guy on tour.”

The friction dates back to 2013, at the PLAYERS Championship, when a minor incident escalated publicly. While lining up a shot on the 13th hole, Garcia was distracted by fans reacting to Woods pulling out a club. Garcia accused Woods of poor etiquette, claiming the distraction was intentional, while Woods argued he thought Garcia had already made his shot. The incident became a media focal point and intensified their rivalry.

The situation worsened when Garcia made a controversial “fried chicken” remark about settling their feud, which drew widespread criticism. Although he later apologized, the damage was already done.

The Age of Reconciliation and Old Rivalries

Fast forward to 2025, Garcia, now competing with LIV Golf, is gearing up for the Open Championship. When asked jokingly if he could beat Woods in a physical fight, Garcia replied, “Well, at the moment I think me,” signaling the fiery competitive spirit that once defined their rivalry.

Despite past animosities, Garcia claims their relationship has improved. “We meet up and stuff, and it’s all good,” he said, though underlying respect appears reluctant. Woods remains a figure surrounded by skepticism, partly due to his intense focus and a history of controversial moments, such as a penalized drop at the 2013 Masters that left his reputation under scrutiny.

While golf is generally seen as a sport of civility, rivalries like Garcia versus Woods demonstrate that old feuds can persist beneath the surface.