"Garcia was the major omission on that contact list. And major omissions are, of course, something at which Sergio excels."
Romilly Evans profiles Sergio Garcia who bids to put fifth-major implosion behind him at the European Tour's equivalent...
It may not be a truth trumpeted by those self-help gurus, but the secret to happiness is low expectations. You heard it here first. High expectations mean you're seldom elated and regularly disappointed. Lesser hopes, on the other hope, mean you're often pleasantly surprised.
Managing such outlooks, however, is easier said than done. And that fact goes some way to explaining exactly why Sergio Garcia has been looking so glum in recent seasons, despite possessing a game which effortlessly puts him on the periphery of the world's top 10 even when he's not playing his best. Four victories on three world tours in the past 18 months have also re-established Garcia as a consistent winner, but with the rub of the green he could have easily had a handful more.
The most recent near-miss came at the recent Players Championship at Sawgrass where the Spaniard had the lead alongside Tiger Woods before he made a big splash at the treacherous 17th hole. Two balls plunged into a watery grave gifting the "fifth major" to Woods.
It didn't help, of course, that Sergio made Tiger his prime beneficiary. Especially after their very public spat a day earlier. Garcia accused the game's Top Cat of disturbing him mid-swing by pulling a club from his bag to excite the large galleries watching the pair during the third round. Woods denied the accusations, sniping that it was "not real surprising that he's complaining about something," before adding that he had asked the marshals if he was clear to draw after Garcia had played.
Interestingly for a media looking to stoke the fires of a feud, Woods' testimony was later flatly denied by accompanying marshal, Gary Anderson. "Tiger didn't ask us nothing, and we didn't say nothing." Anderson's boss, John North, then fanned the flames even higher. "I was disappointed to hear Tiger's remarks. He was saying what was good for him. It lacked character."
That Woods would indulge in self-serving activities shouldn't shock anyone. He's made a legendary career out of it. And wrecked a family-man profile too. Garcia may be in a different league to Woods personally. As he retorted, "I'm not the bad guy here." Yet golf isn't an exercise in ethics. Garcia had previously planned to challenge Woods professionally.
Back in the day - in the final round of the 1999 USPGA to be precise - it looked as though Sergio might be the one contender who could chase Woods into the next generation. Maybe even catch Tiger by the tail and swing him around a bit. The flamboyant wunderkind burst on to the scene at Medinah with a miraculous eyes-wide-shut recovery from the roots of a tree. El Nino even had the audacity to taunt Tiger by gesturing at him "to come catch him."
Trouble for Garcia is: Tiger did catch him. Not just at Medinah. But over and over again since in the greatest rivalry never to materialise. Even at the 2006 Open at Hoylake, a more seasoned Garcia turned up for their final-round pairing, clad in brash canary yellow. Yet the sartorial statement was as misjudged as his subsequent play, tumbling off the pace and paving the way for Tiger's 11th major championship. "I just whopped Tweetie Pie," Woods would later text his address book.
Garcia was the major omission on that contact list. And major omissions are, of course, the lone blot on Garcia's CV. While Woods quickly blazed a trail to 14, the 33-year-old has stalled on the grid. And despite 57 attempts, he remains stuck on zero with an agonizing three runner-up berths, five top-fours and 17 top-10 finishes.
For most golfers, Garcia's résumé (which features 24 wins and a 2008 Players title) is to die for. But Garcia is not most golfers. His achievements pale in comparison to the man he was expected to rival. Just as those expectations once escalated, now they are subsiding. And after his Sawgrass demise, they are back at a new low. No-one expects Sergio to get the job done.
Paradoxically, though, maybe everything will be better for having been made worse. Talent certainly isn't shackling the Spaniard. Even his dodgy putting stroke has been restored this term - he is third in the key stat of Strokes Gained on the greens - so once again there appears no obvious weakness in his game.
Sergio should also feel inspired after his good pal, Adam Scott, finally put his own spell of major irritation behind him at Augusta in April. Few appreciate Garcia's innate ability more than the Australian. "Sergio can win any week, any course, any venue," elaborated Scott. "His ball-striking is that good and now his putting's on." It takes one to know one.
Scott was nearly 33 when he shook the major monkey off his back. He now looks ready for more. Similarly, greats like Phil Mickelson and Ben Hogan didn't break through till their early thirties before going on the win multiple majors. Even the lesser light of Stewart Cink was 36. Heck, Todd Hamilton was 38.
So, at 33, Sergio still has time on his side. And he will put be back in contention soon. Perhaps even at this week's BMW Championship at Wentworth, the European Tour's own "fifth major". At least he's now put a transatlantic sea of tears between him and his tormentor Tiger. All Garcia must do is not mistake a chance to succeed as another chance to fail.
The unpredictable Spaniard has more shots and perspective than most self-involved tour pros combined. He's the golfer most caddies want to chat to in the clubhouse, but the bag none wants to carry because of his wayward attitude on the course. Which makes him such a fascinating and exciting character.
To date, Garcia's passion and charisma have all too often been bootlegged by frustration. Frustration at expectations extinguished. But endless dissatisfaction and the desire to disprove the doubters can be harnessed as a positive force. It's certainly helping Garcia get out of bed in the morning. And for that, golf should always be grateful.
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/ Alex Lee / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 