Sergio Garcia has appeared to confirm his departure from the PGA Tour to join the breakaway LIV golf series.
The 2017 Masters champion, 42, was caught on camera at the Wells Fargo Championship on Thursday telling a rules official that he "can't wait to leave" the game’s lead circuit.
Garcia’s comments came as he was looking for a lost ball after sending his drive at the par-5 10th out of bounds. The Spaniard found his ball eventually among the long grass left of the fairway, but was informed by a PGA Tour official that he had taken 90 seconds beyond the three-minute limit permitted to search.
Garcia argued that he had not begun looking for the ball until he reached the area where he knew it landed, with his subsequent frustration then picked up on the television feed.
"I can't wait to leave this tour," Garcia said. "Can't wait to get out of here. Just a couple more weeks until I don't have to deal with you anymore."
Garcia, who went on to par the hole and then sign for a 3-under par 67, did not speak to reporters following his first round. However, his agent later confirmed to the New York Post that the European Ryder Cup star had applied for a release to compete in next month's opening LIV Golf International Series event just outside London.
Garcia, who has 36 professional wins worldwide - 11 have come on the PGA Tour - is reportedly one of 12 players who have requested a release from the PGA Tour to play at Centurion Golf Club from June 9-11.
The Saudi-backed series, which has former world No 1 Greg Norman as its CEO, plans four more events later this year in the United States and is viewed as a significant rival to both the PGA Tour and Europe's DP World Tour.
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, three-time European No 1 Lee Westwood, American Robert Garrigus and England's Richard Bland are also publicly known to have applied for a waiver to compete at Centurion. The LIV Golf International Series will offer a $25 million purse per tournament – there are eight events scheduled through until the finale in October – making each more lucrative than any stop on the PGA Tour.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
