Sergio Garcia WITHDRAWS from BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth

LIV Golf player and European stalwart Sergio Garcia has withdrawn from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

As first reported by Rex Hoggard of Golf Channel, there has been no reason given by the DP World Tour thus far about the Spaniard's withdrawal.

Garcia, who is yet to win the tour's flagship event despite turning professional in 1999, carded a 76 in the first round on Thursday. He carded four bogeys and a double bogey on his way to a round of 4-over-par.

For the time being, questions will surround the withdrawal of the 42-year-old who arrived at Virginia Water under a black cloud, being one of the 18 players from the LIV Golf Tour to participate.

The event was suspended for a full day on Friday following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The second round restarted on Saturday in what will now be a 54-hole event.

Ahead of the event, Garcia vowed to support the old European Tour by playing in its flagship event. "I’m sure some guys will be tense about it (because) we’re going to go out there and play; what I’m going to do is support the European Tour and that’s all I can do. Whoever doesn't like it, too bad for them," he told Golf Digest at the LIV Golf Boston Invitational.

Ryan Fox and Kristoffer Broberg have also withdrawn after the first round. Ahead of the event, Martin Kaymer took his name from the entry list as he didn't feel welcome.

LIV Players were informed that they weren't needed in the Wednesday Pro-Am and they were also asked not to wear any LIV-branded clothing. 

Players such as Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel believe players from the Saudi-backed series shouldn't be allowed to play at the event, with McIlroy admitting he didn't have "much of a relationship" with the likes of Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood anymore.

Garcia has no further entries on the DP World Tour in 2022. He will tee it up in the fifth event of the LIV Golf Series in Chicago as he has done in the previous four events.