Costly Garcia petulance

US PGA champion Justin Thomas and Australia’s Marc Leishman share the lead after day three of the Dell Technologies Championship, where a show of petulance proved costly for Sergio Garcia.

Garcia slammed his putter into a sprinkler head after badly misjudging an eagle attempt on the short par-four fourth at TPC Boston, altering the loft and lie of the club.

Under Rule 4-3b, Garcia was not allowed to use it again for the rest of the round, although the US Masters champion did at least hole his birdie putt from 13 feet with a wood.

However, after using either his driver or a long iron on the greens on the remaining 14 holes, Garcia struggled to a four-over-par 75 which ended in miserable fashion when a dreaded shank led to a double-bogey seven on the last.

It is not the first time this season Garcia has caused himself problems by losing his temper, the world No 7 injuring his shoulder after lashing out at a gorse bush on the fourth hole at Royal Birkdale during this year’s Open Championship.

At two over par, Garcia was 14 shots behind Thomas and Leishman, who shot superb rounds of 63 and 65 respectively despite the wet and windy conditions which they faced.

Paul Casey was a shot off the lead after a 67, with Open champion Jordan Spieth, Grayson Murray and Adam Hadwin a shot further back on 10 under.

Casey, who held a threeshot lead after 54 holes in this event last year but struggled to a closing 73 and was overhauled by Rory McIlroy, carded five birdies and a bogey in his 67.

Thomas recorded eight birdies in a flawless round, including one from 50 feet on the 12th.

Lewis Hamilton