GARCIA THE BRAT SHAMES GOLF

WHEN Sergio Garcia’s Masters victory in 2017 was hailed as a populist triumph, there were those who begged to differ. They cited the many times Garcia behaved like a brat and refuted claims he was a people’s champion. Rows with rules officials, spitting in the cup, the fried chicken crack about Tiger Woods — it was quite a case for the prosecution. Ultimately, however, nothing could trump Garcia’s joy on at last winning a major, or the sheer pleasure of seeing a great player fulfil his dream and destiny. This was before Garcia showed such dismal contempt for the game, and his fellow professionals, by damaging several greens during the Saudi International tournament. It will be harder to indulge him now, and the European Tour should be ashamed that their punishment did not extend beyond simple disqualification. Garcia (above) should have surrendered his Tour card for a month, at least.

THERE is a suggestion Anthony Joshua could be frozen out of the action, if Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder agree a rematch package of up to three fights. Yet who wants to see that? Fury versus Wilder was good, but it was hardly Ali-Frazier.

The final-round resurrection was a showstopper, but we’ve seen that now. What remains is a fight between a big puncher and a great technician — a decent match, but not one that demands endless repetition, particularly if it becomes a ploy to avoid the man with the belts. That is the fight the public really wants to see: the winner versus Joshua.