Angela Garcia Fires Back At Rich Lerner Over Baby Name Comment

Angela Garcia was not happy about Rich Lerner's tweet after Sergio made a mess of the 15th

Angela Garcia Fires Back At Rich Lerner Over Baby Name Comment
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Golf Channel anchor Rich Lerner suggested the Garcias won't be naming their next child Firethorn after the 15th hole at Augusta

Angela Garcia Fires Back At Rich Lerner Over Baby Name Comment

Defending champion Sergio Garcia hit the headlines during round one of The Masters with a complete capitulation on the par-5 15th hole, named Firethorn.

The Spaniard hit five balls into the water to score a 13 - the worst score ever recorded on the hole and the joint-worst score ever posted at Augusta National.

Related: US Masters Leaderboard 2018

Golf Channel anchor Rich Lerner tweeted that Sergio and Angela Garcia, who named their first child Azalea after the 13th hole, won't be naming their next one Firethorn.

And Angela, who used to work at the Golf Channel, wasn't happy.

She replied to Lerner, saying "Hey RichLernerGC, the next time you decide to tweet about my future child why don’t you use your brain and not do it? Don’t be an idiot."

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The broadcasting legend quickly apologised to Angela on Twitter, writing "My apologies to Angela and Sergio for my poorly timed attempt to lighten the mood. Missed the mark with a flippant comment. No ill intent."

Angela Garcia then wrote, Thank you for your apology, @RichLernerGC. I always appreciate a good sense of humor and a good joke, but when you reference a player’s family it’s not appropriate. If people really thought about it they might agree. All good and we can move on."

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Twitter Reacts As Sergio Garcia Cards 13 On 15th Hole At Masters

Dunking five balls in the water gets golf…

Interestingly, Sergio replied to Lerner's comment about naming the next Garcia 'Firethorn' in a much different way to his wife.

The Masters champion suggested that he and his wife may well name their next child Firethorn, as it was the site of his stunning eagle last year.

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Garcia wrote, "What happened on 15 @TheMasters yesterday was unfortunate for me and it hurt but I tried to handle it like a Masters Champion should. That same hole gave me that green jacket last year so we might end up naming our next kid Firethorn after all, funny man! ;)"

Related: US Masters TV Coverage 2018 - Sky and BBC Times

In the end, Sergio posted a nine-over round of 81. He trails leader Jordan Spieth by 17 strokes and needs something special to make the cut.

Check out the second round Masters tee times here.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV