Eddie Pepperell calls Sergio Garcia "pathetic" for BMW PGA withdrawal
Eddie Pepperell has addressed Sergio Garcia's withdrawal from the DP World Tour's flagship event and his Twitter spats with Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
DP World Tour player Eddie Pepperell described Sergio Garcia as "pathetic" for withdrawing from the BMW PGA Championship and shed more light on his conflict with LIV Golf's Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
Speaking to the Stripe Show podcast, Pepperell supported the criticism that Garcia received for pulling out of the Wentworth event, only to appear at a college football game in Texas hours later.
The Englishman was also frustrated with the actions of Poulter and Westwood on Twitter who supposedly couldn't answer his question honestly when he asked why they didn't compete at the Estrella Damn N.A. Andalucia Masters.
Pepperell, 31, has often expressed reservations about the LIV Golf Tour. He has no problem with the players accepting lucrative contracts from the Saudi-backed series, it has been the behaviour thereafter which is cause for concern.
"It was pathetic and he's been criticised heavily for it (Garcia), I would add to those voices. I haven't got a lot of time for some of the actions and the words he has said," Pepperell said.
Oh Eddie,
I’m playing at the same venue the European Tour had an event for 3 years… i can’t play both at once.
Valderrama is one of the best courses in Europe. I’d love to play there again one day. That was a big win in 2004 I remember picking up €625k.
Now answer my Questions— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 15, 2022
"I think that there is a lot of frustration (among DPWT players) but equally, there are a number of players who would've taken this opportunity had it come to them as well. I think they're honest and they would admit that.
"Ultimately, with the decisions that have been made, there's not a lot we can do as a Tour legally, so it is what it is. The frustration that I have obviously had, which has probably come across on Twitter on a couple of occasions with Lee Westwood, is just some of the comments that have come about."
Pepperell is close friends with LIV Golf player Laurie Canter. Canter is yet to win on the DP World Tour and since the start of last season, he made six top-10 finishes as he chased his maiden victory.
He has previously discussed the large risk that Canter has taken in joining Greg Norman's new league, whereas the likes of Poulter and Westwood "don't give a s*** and they don't need to care."
When Pepperell asked Poulter why he didn't play at Valderrama last week on Twitter, the Ryder Cup hero explained he participated in the LIV Golf Jeddah Invitational at a venue that the Saudi International uses, an event that used to be sanctioned by the DP World Tour.
Pepperell claimed that Poulter's LIV contract dictates that he wouldn't be permitted to play at the Andalucia Masters, which was won by LIV Golf participant Adrian Otaegui.
"I have absolutely no issue with any of these players going and playing at LIV, it's entirely their prerogative and I support that. But I think there are some things that maybe - not enough people understand about the situation with some of these individuals and LIV.
I was told from the horses mouth that a proposition was put to them that would enable all three to work (at the expense of the DPWT no less), but they turned it down.
Unfortunately, as we’ve all fallen victim to at times lately, I suppose it’s down to what and who you believe.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) October 15, 2022
"Namely that they are shareholders in the business of LIV. So it is now their interest to make LIV successful and work because financially, they will be heavily and highly rewarded far more than they already have been if indeed it is to be successful.
"Therefore I do think there is a conflict of interest in some respect here and I think that should be acknowledged. I just have a hard time when I see some of the guys.
"There was something that happened last week in Valderrama that I picked upon. A journalist wrote an article bemoaning the standard of the field at Valderrama, criticising the way in which it isn't what it used to be.
"I think it apportioned a lot of that blame on the DP World Tour being at fault for that. Both Lee and Ian praised the article and what frustrated me about that, and the reason I asked the question that I asked Lee and Ian on Twitter, why aren't you there and I knew the answer to that question.
"I just wanted them to answer it honestly which neither of them could do. This was because the truth is, they can't be there. Even if they wanted to be there, they can't be there because, with LIV, there are contracts involved."
