A Random Golf Thing I Think About: Firethorn

I’d like to debut a new segment: A Random Golf Thing I Think About. The acronym is a work in progress but the proper pronunciation is “Argh-teeta.” This segment should be a vehicle for resurfacing amusing or insightful memories that live in the nooks and crannies of deranged golf minds, memories that run the risk of being forgotten if not reexamined. I encourage my colleagues and our wonderful audience of golf-addicted minds to participate and help keep important moments alive. 

Today we’re revisiting the time Rich Lerner and Angela Garcia got into a Twitter spat over a future imaginary Garcia child during the 2018 Masters. Remember that? In Thursday’s opening round, reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia stepped onto the 15th tee at 2 over. He proceeded to make a 13 on the scorable par 5, dumping five balls in the water before holing a pretty nice one-putt. 

After the putt dropped, Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner tweeted, “Sergio won’t be naming his next kid Firethorn,” a seemingly innocuous nod to the name of the Garcias’ firstborn child, Azalea. I’d give just about anything to have witnessed Lerner’s reaction when he read the response from Angela Garcia, herself a former Golf Channel employee. 

Lerner ultimately apologized for a “poorly timed attempt to lighten the mood.” That was a clean shot, Rich. No need to back down on that one. 

So there you have it: A Random Golf Thing I Think About. Barring a late surprise entry, it doesn’t appear as if the Garcias will be naming their next child Procore or Wentworth either, with all due respect.