The Tiger Woods-Sergio Garcia pairing Saturday during the third round of the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., lived up to its pre-round hype - but for a different reason.
The twosome created a commotion during a two-hour weather delay during the third round when Garcia told NBC that Woods may have been the cause for Garcia's poor second shot on the par-5 second hole.
Woods drove his tee shot into some trees while Garcia hit his tee shot onto the fairway. According to CBSSports.com, as Garcia was ready to hit his second shot, he appeared to be distracted by some crowd noise.
Garcia drove his second shot well right of the green. He told NBC that he thought Woods may have pulled out a club to hit his second shot, causing a reaction from the crowd that affected Garcia's shot.
The Spaniard ended up with a bogey. Woods, meanwhile, got out of his trouble and birdied the hole.
Garcia aired his grievance to NBC later during the weather delay.
"I wouldn't say he didn't see that I was ready, but you do have a feel when the other guy is going to hit," he said during the television interview. "Right as I was on top of the backswing, he pulled a 5-wood or 3-wood out of the rough and, obviously, everybody started screaming, so that didn't help very much. But it was unfortunate because -- I mean I might have hit it in there if nothing happens. You never know. But if I hit a good shot there and maybe make a birdie, it gets my day started in a bit of a different way. "
The third round eventually was suspended with the twosome still on the course. ESPN.com reported that Woods took exception with Garcia's comments after play was halted.
"Obviously, he doesn't know all the facts," Woods told reporters. "The marshals told me he had already hit. I pulled the club and played my shot. Then I hear his comments afterward. Not really surprising that he's complaining about something."
ESPN added that when Garcia was told of Woods' comments, he fired back, "That's fine. At least I'm true to myself. I know what I'm doing, and he can do whatever he wants."
Woods and Garcia are tied for second place with Henrik Stenson at 10 under as play resumes Sunday. They trail David Lingmerth, who is at 12 under with the 18th hole still to play from the third round.
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