While Sergio Garcia clearly always had the talent to win multiple majors, it would have been only natural had he wondered heading into 2017 whether he was ever actually going to triumph in one of the sport’s four biggest events.
Sergio Garcia finished in the top 10 on 22 occasions in the majors before 2017, finishing second on four occasions – including at The Open in 2007 when he was beaten in a play-off by Padraig Harrington.
However, that wait for a win ended seven years ago, with Garcia beating Justin Rose at The Masters after the pair finished 72 holes around Augusta National tied on nine under par. The Spaniard birdied the 18th in the play-off to get across the line.
It was Danny Willett who had the honour of presenting the green jacket to Garcia, with the Englishman winning the previous year following the collapse of Jordan Spieth on the back nine.
Why Danny Willett felt emotional as Sergio Garcia won The Masters
Willett had ended up missing the cut in 2017. But speaking on Life on Tour, he suggested that he appreciated having the extra time to savour Garcia’s victory – even becoming emotional as he realised what the victory meant to his 2016 Ryder Cup teammate.
“It was a strange scenario. Luckily it’s Jordan and at the time he was on an unreal roll and he is a class act. It is harsh because it’s literally 10 or 12 minutes after we’d finished. I had half hour, 40 minutes and had been watching it and realised what was happening. He literally came off and had to get suited and booted. So I do think it’s a bit harsh in that scenario,” he said when discussing his own win.
“You then fast forward it the year after, when I missed the cut, and I was sat there having a glass of wine on the balcony when Sergio was winning so I had loads of time to sit there and enjoy it.
“Because I was receiving the jacket, I had friends and family there but when I was in there and able to see Sergio’s family and Angela and everyone around, it was amazing. I think I probably did cry because you see how much it means to Serge and the family and everyone and really wanting to put the jacket on a friend. It was either Rosey or Sergio, either would have been amazing to do it to.”
How has Garcia performed in the majors since his 2017 triumph
Of course, Garcia has enjoyed another career resurgence since making the jump to LIV Golf in 2022. The 44-year-old won when the league went to Valderrama earlier this year. He ended the year third in the individual standings.
Interestingly however, his form in the majors has suffered dramatically since his victory in Georgia. Garcia missed the cut at all four events in 2018, and has missed 15 cuts in total since winning. His best finish in a major over the last seven years is tied for 19th.
That would perhaps suggest that clearing that hurdle in 2017 was such a landmark for him that he has, quite understandably, almost struggled to find that same fire since.
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