By now, I'm sure everyone is aware of Sergio Garcia's comments regarding Augusta National yesterday on the Golf Channel, uttered after having limped to a T-38 finish in the Masters:

“I don’t like it to tell you the truth,” he said. “I don’t think it’s fair. It’s too tricky. Even when it’s dry you still get mud balls in the middle of the fairway. It’s too much of a guessing game.
 
“They can do whatever they want. It’s not my problem. I just come here and play and then go home. That’s about it.”

According to TGC's Shag Bag, Garcia has since issued an apology via his management company. (Read: damage control.) But let's face it: Serg will undoubtedly get two ears' full at Bethpage in June.

Garcia's bellyaching is becoming tiresome, to say the least. And it's beginning to remind me of Colin Montgomerie's legendary grousing that led to his frosty relationship with American fans. Montgomerie and the public managed to get over it and nowadays he seems to be generally respected by folks on this side of the pond, and perhaps even liked. 

I suppose it remains to be seen whether the same will happen with Sergio. Surely his relationship with American fans has yet to sink to Montomgerie-like levels, but it's quickly headed in that direction. One wonders what happened to the imminently likable El Nino of a decade ago. I don't know - what's the Spanish phrase for "overgrown brat"?

It also remains to be seen whether Garcia will follow Montgomerie's path to golf's most unfortunate distinction, that of an incredibly talented player who fails to bring home one of his sport's most cherished prizes.