It took 73 holes, but Sergio Garcia's masterful shot on the first playoff hole (the famed 17th island green of the TPC at Sawgrass) wrapped up a very nice victory at The Players Championship on Sunday.
Garcia's win did a lot to answer the question of whether or not he will ever get rid of the "best player never to win a major" name tag...the answer was a resounding, "No!!!"
Garcia is widely known as the best ball-striker on tour, and this week was no different. He led the field in driving accuracy and greens hit in regulation.
However, it is Garcia's putter that has traditionally let him down. He finished the week 69th in putting but hit great putts at 14, 17 (in regulation), and 18 to force the playoff.
Garcia's game spoke for itself this week. He truly played a masterful four days of golf. Unfortunately for Sergio the tell-tale sign that he will never win a major came at the trophy presentation.
At the ceremony off the 18th green, Sergio was asked to comment about the tournament; the first words out of his mouth were this, "I want to thank Tiger for not being here...that always makes things a little bit easier."
I was absolutely appalled that a competitor would say that about a fellow competitor. The truth of his statement was only made truer by the fact the he vocalized it.
Tiger is in Sergio's head, plain and simple.
Congrats Sergio. You played well....really well. However, enjoy it while it lasts because Tiger's knee is fine, and he is heading to tournament (e.g. the U.S. Open) near you!!!
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2 months ago
lol. Great Article. I agree that Sergio still has not proved that he has what it takes to win a Major, particularly if Tiger is in the tournament. For people near the top of the leaderboard at a major, it more or else comes down to a putting contest the final two days - who can make the most big putts. Sergio was putting better during the Players Championship but he was by no means putting great.
That is how amazing of a ballstriker he really is. He hits the ball so well that he can still manage to win a tournament without being a great, or even good putter for that matter.
He could win a major before he's career finishes, he's only 28, but I'd put my money on a lot of other players having a chance tp beat Tiger in a major before I'd put my money on Sergio.
2 months ago
Thanks for the kudos and thoughts.
Sergio is really special when it comes to striking the ball. You said it well when you pointed out that the fact that he can win and be as average (and that's probably a complament) with the putter as he is, proves that point.
I realize Sergio is young and talented, but as the adage goes, his biggest deficiency is not on the 7,000 yard golf course it is on the 2 foot course played between his ears.
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