Finally. We’re finally writing this sentence. Sergio Garcia is a major champion.
After years and years of heartbreak and failure and Sunday mishaps, Sergio outdueled Justin Rose on an instant-classic Sunday at Augusta National to take home his first ever Green Jacket at the The Masters on the first playoff hole.
But what a tournament, and what an amazing moment for Garcia. His first-ever major championship win comes on the would-be birthday of Spanish golf hero Seve Ballesteros — and Garcia’s late-day heroics couldn’t help but remind of his famed mentor’s 3 Masters titles.
It looked like for most of Sunday we’d have a packed, star-studded leaderboard — but the stage cleared for duel between the two European Ryder Cup teammates fairly early. The others wouldn’t be needed. Garcia took the early lead over Rose, rushing out to a two-stroke lead on the front side behind the brilliant ballstriking that has powered the Spaniard’s entire career. But Rose bounced back to tie things before the end of the front nine, both turning to the backside at 8-under-par for the championship.
That’s when Sergio seemed to be turning into the Sergio of the past. A couple of wayward teeshots and slipped putts led to early back-nine bogeys and Rose pulled a pair of shots ahead. If you left Sergio for dead in the trees off the fairway at Amen Corner, few would’ve blamed you.
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SOURCE: Kyle Robbins
SBNation
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