Medinah Country Club removed the hole where Sergio Garcia hit his famous around-the-tree shot.

The hole where Sergio Garcia hit his famous around-the-tree shot during the 1999 PGA Championship no longer exists at Medinah Country Club, which is hosting the 2026 Presidents Cup this week. Garcia's memorable escape shot came on the 16th hole during the final round on August 15, 1999, when the 19-year-old swung at his ball with his eyes closed while partially blocked by a tree, then performed his signature scissor-kick celebration as the ball found the green.

The former holes 14, 15, and 16 on Medinah's No. 3 course have been completely eliminated as part of a recent renovation by design firm OCM. The giant oak tree known as the Sergio tree had already been removed due to illness during preparations for the 2012 Ryder Cup. The renovation replaced those three holes with two new par-4s at the 14th and 15th, followed by a new par-4 16th hole that features a diagonal drive over water.

The overhaul became necessary after Justin Thomas shot 25-under par to win the 2019 BMW Championship at Medinah, highlighting how the packed holes that forced prescribed straight shots had become a liability for major championship golf. The course had dropped in national rankings from 53rd to 93rd.