LIV star's stinging McIlroy swipe amid 'sad' end

Spanish golf star Sergio Garcia has blasted former best friend Rory McIlroy, saying the Northern Irishman "lacked maturity" over his handling of Garcia's defection to LIV Golf.

McIlroy, who was a groomsman at Garcia's wedding in 2017, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Saudi-backed tour, and hasn't hidden his opinion of players who have left the PGA Tour.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Garcia said the state of their relationship now was "very sad".

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"I think that we've done so many things together and had so many experiences that for him to throw that away just because I decided to go to a different tour, well, it doesn't seem very mature; lacking maturity, really," he said.

Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy

"Rory's got his own life and he makes his own choices, the same way that I make mine. 

"I respect his choice, but it seems like he doesn't respect the ones I make. So a one-way street."

Garcia joined LIV Golf last year as a marquee signing. After months of speculation, he all but confirmed his departure from the PGA during an argument with a rules official during the Wells Fargo.

Frustrated, microphones picked up the Spaniard saying he "can't wait to get off this tour".

In a separate media event on Thursday, Garcia said he "didn't have a problem" with McIlroy personally, and that he was open to rekindling their friendship.

"I don't have a problem with him. He's the one that has a problem," he said.

"So if he wants to reconcile, then I'm willing to talk, but I'm not sure he'll pull himself down to that level."

Garcia's Fireballs GC are fifth after the first day of competition at LIV Golf's first event of the year in Mexico.

The pair will both next play together at the Masters in April.

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