Sergio Garcia
Residence: Borriol, Spain
DOB: 09/01/1980
Probably know for his heroics in past Ryder Cup matches over his individual achievements, the passionate young Spaniard (known as ‘El Nino’) is a major challenger on both the European and PGA Tours. He has battled with numerous swing changes including the dreaded ‘yips’ where he repeatedly gripped, then re-gripped sometimes up to 20 times before playing a shot.
Along with Monty, he is certainly one of the best golfers ‘never to win a Major’ - although he came very close again at Carnoustie in July 2007, losing in a play-off to Padraig Harrington. Our biog photo of Sergio was taken at golf’s 5th Major, the TPC at Sawgrass in May 2007 where he finished second to Phil Mickelson. In 2008 Sergio went a place better by winning golf’s ‘5th Major’, pocketing the whopping $1.5million first prize, and ending a 3 year run without victory.
Sergio possesses a sparking amateur career winning 19 amateur events as well as a pro event, the Catalonian Open - at the age of only 17. Amazingly, he made 12 out of 18 European Tour cuts before turning professional which he did after finishing as the best Amateur at the 1999 Masters. His professional career got off to a flying start winning Murphy's Irish Open on only his 6th start as a pro and became the 4th youngest winner on the European Tour at the age of 19.
As mentioned, he loves playing in the Ryder Cup and like fellow countrymen Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal always seems to bring his ‘A-game’ to the party. He has played in 5 European Ryder Cup teams enjoying substantial success each time. At the K Club in 2006 it was only defeat to Stewart Cink in the Sunday singles which stopped him becoming the first golfer in Ryder Cup history to win all of their 5 matches at a single event.
During a practise round at The Masters in 2002 Sergio launched a driver 325 yards down the 2nd. He then decided that this was not good enough and proceeded to smash his 2-iron 253 years into the hole for a very rare albatross. Away from golf, Sergio and his girl friend’s dad, a certain Greg Norman, are designing a new golf course together in San Antonio.
Sergio added his little bit to the amazing Spanish Summer of Sport 2008 by winning golf ‘5th Major’ TPC at Sawgrass. One of only 4 players to finish under par for the event, a final round 71 (-1) saw him placed into a playoff with Paul Goydos who he beat at the first extra hole. Like a number of Europeans the year ended in defeat with a first loss in 4 to America in The Ryder Cup. Sergio was particularly disappointed with his contribution of 1 point towards the European total as he loves the competition so much. Sergio soon bounced back from this defeat to win his own tournament The Castello Masters and dedicated his victory to fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros.
Sergio Garcia Club History
Below is a selection of clubs used by Sergio Garcia throughout his career
Sergio Garcia Tournament History
2008 The Open Championship |
17-20 July - The Open Championship - Royal Birkdale. The 137th Open Championship was successfully defended by Padraig Harrington. He shot -4 on the back 9 on the Sunday to pull away from Ian Poulter and overnight leader Greg Norman. The Open this year was without one notable absentee as World #1 Tiger Woods was recovering from knee surgery. Greg Norman became the oldest golfer ever to hold at least a share of the 54-hole lead when he led by 2 strokes on +2. Due to extremely high winds, no one managed to play under par for the round, and it was first time since 1986 when the 54-hole leader was not under par. Despite a wrist injury that almost forced him to withdraw prior to the tournament Harrington pulled away from the field with a tremendous back 9 and became only the fifth golfer to retain the Open Championship in the last 50 years. |
In Sergio Garcia's bag...Sergio had 3 excellent rounds and would have certainly been contention on Sunday afternoon had it not been for a 73 on the 2nd day. Never the less, tied for 15th, he still took home $86,700. Everyone that has been watching golf over the last decade knows that Sergio is a Taylor Made player through and through. Throughout the 2008 season Sergio has used a Taylor Made Tour Burner TP Driver with which he averages almost 300 yards off the tee. Surprisingly Sergio had different fairway woods. He used a Taylor Made Burner TP 14.5˚ and a r7 TP 17.5˚; but he must know something that we don't as this combination has led him to the season best scoring average on the PGA Tour of 69.12. Unlike many current Tour professionals and clubs golfers alike, Sergio does not use a Hybrid, choosing to extend his Taylor Made rac MB irons to #3. Sergio completed his set with a the Taylor Made rac TP wedges (54˚ and 58˚) in a satin finish.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2008 World Golf Championship - CA Championship |
13-16 March - Arnold Palmer Invitational - Bay Hill Club and Lodge. In typical Tiger fashion, the world #1 sank a 24-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Bay Hill for his fifth consecutive win, much to the annoyance of Bart Bryant who was looking for his first win since 2005. This was his biggest challenge since this streak began 7 months ago, Woods outlasted 45-year-old Bart Bryant and won with a birdie putt on the 72nd hole for the first time in 7 years. He turned and slammed his cap to the ground, letting out a roar to celebrate his 64th career victory, tying Ben Hogan at #3 on the PGA Tour career list. |
In Sergio Garcia's bag...3 great rounds in the 60’2 were only spoilt by a 73 in the second round. A better finish than the tie for 15th that he achieved may have been waiting if it weren’t for this minor blip. Another cracking image from our photographer clearly shows the setup that Sergio was carrying this week. It began with a Taylor Made Tour Burner TP. This was complimented by a Taylor Made Burner TP 3 Wood (hidden under his distinctive Bull headcover) and a Taylor Made r7 TP 5 wood. His magnificently clean and polished irons were Taylor Made rac MB TP and complimented by a set of rac Satin TP wedges. Although his putter is not in view we are informed that it was a Taylor Made Rossa Daytona.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2007 Barclays Scottish Open |
12-15 July - The Barclays Scottish Open - Loch Lomond. As the curtain raiser to the Open Championship the following week at Carnoustie, the Barclays Scottish Open attracted some of the biggest names in the world – Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Luke Donald and others all made the trip. It wasn’t, however, one of the big names who walked away with the £50,000 first prize – but a virtually unknown Frenchman - Gregory Havret - who holed a tricky 5-footer on the first extra hole to beat world no 3 Phil Mickelson in a play-off. The title also earned Havret the last remaining spot at the Open. |
In Sergio Garcia's bag...In Sergio Garcia's bag Loch Lomond - exactly the same clubs he used the following week to take him into the play-off of the Open Championship where, of course, he lost to Padraig Harrington:TaylorMade MB TP Forged irons, r7 Superquad driver, Rescue Dual TP hybrid.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2007 The Players Championship |
10-13 May - The Players Championship - TPC at Sawgrass - Stadium Course. The Players Championship (TPC) has for a long time been considered golf’s ‘5th’ Major because of the traditionally very strong field – typically the top 50 players in the world congregate to battle it out for the huge prize money. The victor this time was Phil Mickelson who, helped by Tiger’s old coach, Butch Harmon, bagged the $1.62m first prize and the 31st PGA Tour victory of his career after finishing with a 3-under 69 and a two-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia. Stewart Cink and Jose Maria Olazabal a further stroke back tied 3rd. The Stadium course is famous for its tiny island green on the par 3 17th – which this time proved a watery grave for a record 94 golf balls (it’s not just us handicappers who end up in the drink). This was Mickelson’s first victory at the TPC after 14 attempts. |
In Sergio Garcia's bag...Here's Sergio's bag from the TPC where he finished in 2nd place: TaylorMade r7 SuperQuad TP 9.5 degree driver, TaylorMade's new Burner Steel fairway wood, r7 TP fairway wood (17 degree according to TaylorMade's website) rac forged TP irons and rac Black TP 54 and 58 degree wedges.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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