Tour winner tears into Sergio Garcia's LIV Golf statement: "Has he got dementia?"

English tour pro Eddie Pepperell has accused Sergio Garcia of "elite level s***housery" after the Spaniard revealed he is quitting LIV Golf to return to the DP World Tour in 2027. 

Garcia confirmed his decision to walk away from the breakaway tour on Thursday with a lengthy statement posted on his social media channels. 

The 2017 Masters champion said he intends to play on the European-based circuit in 2027 in a bid to return to the Ryder Cup team and is also keeping his options open about playing on the PGA Tour again. 

Garcia also stressed he is keen to demonstrate what he had learned after leaving the 2026 Masters Tournament disappointed with his behaviour, following an angry outburst that earned him a warning for his conduct.

"This tour has been a huge part of my career from the very beginning," Garcia said. "And I'm proud to call it home again."

Pepperell reacted to the latest departure on X, writing: "This has to be Sergio trolling us? Surely. Elite level shithousery, this. Or has he got dementia?"

What is Eddie Pepperell referring to?

Garcia's move to LIV Golf was preceded by two notable incidents. 

The first came at the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship.

Garcia launched into an angry exchange with a PGA Tour rules official after being penalised during the opening round.

The incident unfolded at the par-5 10th after Garcia hooked his tee shot into the penalty area. 

While searching for his ball, the Spaniard disputed the timing of the three-minute search limit, arguing that the clock had started before he could reach the other side of a creek.

When the official informed him that the time limit had expired, Garcia's frustration boiled over.

"I can't wait to leave this Tour," said Garcia. 

"I can't wait to get out of here, my friend. A couple more weeks and I don't have to deal with you anymore."

The timing was particularly significant given Garcia had already agreed to play in LIV's opening tournament at Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, although his switch was yet to be announced. 

"He flew off the handle"

Garcia played the opening LIV Golf event but it wasn't until the Spaniard turned up to the BMW International Open in Germany that he was informed of his punishment by the DP World Tour. 

The DP World Tour fined Garcia and other LIV Golf players £100,000 for playing in the tournament without official permission. 

According to Telegraph Sport, Garcia reacted by angrily.

A player told the publication that Garcia flew off the handle, shouted that the tour was 's***' and told his colleagues that they were all f***** and "should have taken the Saudi money". 

The outburst appeared to be corroborated by Scotland's Robert MacIntyre. 

"Amazing how fast you can lose respect for someone that you've looked up to all your life," MacIntyre posted on X. 

MacIntyre added: "#10secondrant #wecanhearyou". 

Garcia responded to the allegations in October 2022 during an interview with The Times of London. 

"I don't even know what they're talking about," said Garcia.  

"I obviously was sad to see where things were going [with the sanctions], but some guys, apparently Robert MacIntyre and I don't know who else, are saying I lost it and started shouting. I don't recall that.

"I might have said I hate where this is going because I feel like I'm more emotionally involved, but I think everyone took the opportunity to make a big deal out of something that wasn't."