Sergio García
Sergio García Fernández (pronounced [ˈseɾxjo ɣaɾˈθi.a feɾˈnandeθ];[2] born 9 January 1980)[3] is a Spanish professional golfer who plays on both the PGA Tour and the European Tour. García has won 35 international tournaments as a professional, most notably the 2008 Players Championship and the 2017 Masters Tournament.[4] García is also the Chairman of Spanish football team CF Borriol.
Sergio García | |||||||||
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García in 2017 | |||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Full name | Sergio García Fernández | ||||||||
Nickname | El Niño | ||||||||
Born | Borriol, Castellón, Spain | 9 January 1980||||||||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||
Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 13 st) | ||||||||
Nationality | |||||||||
Residence | Borriol, Castellón, Spain Crans-Montana, Switzerland Orlando, Florida | ||||||||
Spouse | Angela Akins | ||||||||
Children | Azalea | ||||||||
Career | |||||||||
Turned professional | 1999 | ||||||||
Current tour(s) | European Tour (joined 1999) PGA Tour (joined 1999) | ||||||||
Professional wins | 35 | ||||||||
Highest ranking | 2 (9 November 2008)[1] | ||||||||
Number of wins by tour | |||||||||
PGA Tour | 10 | ||||||||
European Tour | 16 | ||||||||
Japan Golf Tour | 1 | ||||||||
Asian Tour | 6 | ||||||||
Sunshine Tour | 1 | ||||||||
PGA Tour of Australasia | 1 | ||||||||
Other | 5 | ||||||||
Best results in major championships (wins: 1) | |||||||||
Masters Tournament | Won: 2017 | ||||||||
PGA Championship | 2nd/T2: 1999, 2008 | ||||||||
U.S. Open | T3: 2005 | ||||||||
The Open Championship | 2nd/T2: 2007, 2014 | ||||||||
Achievements and awards | |||||||||
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García has spent much of his career in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, including over 300 weeks in the top 10 between 2000 and 2009, and over 450 weeks in the top 10 in total.[5][6] García reached his highest career ranking, 2nd, after winning the HSBC Champions tournament in November 2008. García has achieved career earnings of more than US$43 million. As a player, he is noted for strong iron play and accuracy. In the Ryder Cup, García competed in nine of the ten matches playing during his professional career cumulatively earning a record 25.5 points during those matches.
Early years and amateur career
García began playing golf at the age of three and was taught by his father, Victor, who is a club professional. García won his club championship at age 12. Four years later, he set a record as the youngest player to make the cut at a European Tour event, the 1995 Turespaña Open Mediterranea. This record was broken by amateur Jason Hak in November 2008 at the UBS Hong Kong Open, beating García's record by 107 days. In 1995, García became the youngest player to win the European Amateur. He followed that with a win in the Boys Amateur Championship in 1997. He won a professional tournament, the 1997 Catalan Open as an amateur.
In 1998, he won The Amateur Championship at Muirfield and reached the semi-finals of the U.S. Amateur.[7] He also finished second in the 1998 Argentine Open, being the low amateur, and winning the Pereira Iraola Cup.
Professional career
García turned professional in 1999 after shooting the lowest amateur score in the 1999 Masters Tournament. His first title on the European Tour came in his sixth start as a professional, in July 1999 at the Irish Open.[8] He first achieved worldwide prominence with a duel against Tiger Woods in the 1999 PGA Championship, where he eventually finished second, losing by one stroke.[9][10] Late in the final round, García with his ball up against a tree trunk in the right rough on the 16th hole, and the green hidden from view, he swung hard with his eyes shut and hit a low curving fade that ran up onto the green. As the shot traveled, he sprinted madly into the fairway and then scissor-kick jumped to see the result. Shortly afterwards he became the youngest player ever to compete in the Ryder Cup.[11]
In 2002, during a practice round, García made an albatross (double eagle) on the par-5 second hole at the Masters, one of the few players to have ever done so. On the 575-yard (526 m) hole at the Augusta National Golf Club, he holed a 253-yard (231 m) 2-iron following a 325-yard (297 m) drive.
When García first turned professional, he had an unorthodox swing with a circular loop and long large lag, and this method drew comparisons to Ben Hogan, one of the best players of all time.[12] But during the 2003 season, he worked towards making his swing more conventional, but has largely kept his original method. In his early years, he repeatedly gripped, released, and regripped his hands on the club handle before finally taking a shot. This "waggle" habit created a stir, especially at the 2002 U.S. Open[13] when some spectators shouted out, "Hit the ball, Sergio!", and some people audibly counted the number of regrips into the twenties. Since then he has eliminated the habit. Responding to criticism of his swing, he said, "My swing works for me, so why should I change it? I prefer to have a natural swing and play well rather than a perfect swing and not be able to play good."[14]
PGA Tour titles
At the age of 21, García won his first PGA Tour event at the 2001 MasterCard Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, and then won again at the Buick Classic in New York the same year. He was the youngest Tour winner since Tiger Woods in 1996 at age 20. In 2002, García won the Mercedes Championships in early January, and in 2004, he won the EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the Buick Classic for the second time. His sixth PGA Tour victory came at the 2005 Booz Allen Classic. As of September 2019, he has ten PGA Tour victories, including the 2017 Masters Tournament. He also plays a limited schedule on the European Tour, where he has 16 tour level victories to his name.
Ryder Cup star
García has been a member of every European Ryder Cup team since 1999, with the exception of 2010, and has a career record at the Ryder Cup of 22–12–7 (.622).[15] He has been in six winning sides and his singles win in 2018 made him the all-time Ryder Cup points leader, with 25½ points in 9 appearances, overtaking Nick Faldo's 25 points in 11 appearances.[16]
In the 2006 Ryder Cup, at the K Club in Republic of Ireland, García won both his fourball and foursome matches (with José María Olazábal and Luke Donald, respectively) on day one, beating David Toms and Brett Wetterich in the fourballs and Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk in the foursomes. On day two, he paired up with Olazábal again, who won both their matches against Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco in both the foursomes and fourballs. Going into the final day in the singles, García was heavily tipped to be the second person to win all their matches in one Ryder Cup; however, Stewart Cink beat him 4 and 3. Europe won the cup again, with 18½ points to the United States' 9½ points.
2007: Near-miss at The Open Championship
In March 2007, García received criticism for a spitting incident at the WGC-CA Championship. During his third round García spat into the bottom of the cup on the 13th green after three-putting for bogey.[17][18] After missing the cut in the first two major championships of 2007, García came close to winning The Open Championship – his favourite of the four majors – at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland. He held the lead after each one of the first three rounds and carried a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker and a six-shot lead over the rest of the field into the start of the fourth day.
At an early stage of the last round, García had extended his lead to four shots, but bogeys at the 5th, 7th, and 8th holes brought him back to the field. On the final challenging hole, he needed a par to win, but failed to get up and down from the greenside bunker. The last putt on the 18th hole on Sunday, from about 8 feet (2.4 m), would have given him his first professional major. He missed it by a fraction and faced a four-hole playoff with Pádraig Harrington that he eventually lost by one stroke.
In his post-round news conference, García seemed to suggest that bad breaks had cost him the Open championship. During the playoff, on the long par-3 16th hole, his tee shot hit the flagstick but then bounced 20 feet (6 m) from the pin, off the green, and García could not convert for birdie. "It's not the first time, unfortunately," he stated. "I don't know... I'm playing against a lot of guys out there, more than the field." In the 2007 PGA Championship, he was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard after the third round.[19]
2008: Victory at The Players Championship and near-miss at the PGA Championship
On 11 May 2008, García won The Players Championship on the PGA Tour in a sudden-death playoff against Paul Goydos. The playoff began at the par-3 17th, where Goydos hit a pitching wedge that ballooned and fell inches short of the island green and into the water, while García played a sand wedge to within four feet (1.3 m) of the hole. Goydos made double bogey while García made par for the win.[20]
At the 2008 PGA Championship, played over the South Course of Oakland Hills Country Club near Detroit, García narrowly missed out on winning his first professional major championship yet again. Like at the 2007 Open Championship, Pádraig Harrington was able to erase a García lead on the back nine to take the title. García finished two strokes back for his second runner-up finish at the PGA Championship. His most serious mistake during the final round was misjudging his second shot on the 16th, playing into a strong wind, which found the water in front of the par-4 hole's green, costing him sole ownership of the lead.[21] Regarding another near-miss in a major championship, García stated, "I felt like I responded well, and he was obviously very good on the back nine, and things just happened his way."[22]
On 26 October 2008, he won his first European Tour title in over three years, at the first playing of the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar at his home course, the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo in Castellón, Spain. With this win, he rose to a career high of third in the Official World Golf Rankings.[23] He dedicated the victory to compatriot Seve Ballesteros, who was recovering from multiple operations from the brain tumor that would ultimately claim Ballesteros' life. He won the 2008 HSBC Champions, the opening event on the 2009 European Tour season on 9 November 2008 in a playoff over Oliver Wilson. This win notched him up to a career high second in the Official World Golf Rankings, replacing Phil Mickelson in that spot, who had coincidentally won the HSBC Champions in 2007. García earned more money than any other golfer in 2008, earning $6,979,959 in 26 events.[24]
2009–2010: Slump in form, competitive break
After his success in 2008, García had a very disappointing season in 2009, rarely contending and finished ranked 74th on the PGA Tour money list. He had more success on the European Tour where he finished tenth in the inaugural Race to Dubai. His slump continued into 2010, and after missing the cut at the US PGA Championship, García announced he was taking a break from golf and would miss the 2010 Ryder Cup. He also dropped out of the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings. Struggles with the putter were the primary cause of his slump, since his ballstriking remained among the best in the world. On 29 August 2010, European captain Colin Montgomerie announced that García would be his fourth vice captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.
2011–2012: Return to form
García returned to competitive play in late 2010 with a new putting grip and this produced better results for him on the greens during tournaments in 2011. After 36 holes, he was near the lead in both the 2011 Transitions Championship and the 2011 Byron Nelson Championship, but both times faded on the weekend to fall out of contention.[25]
García had to withdraw from qualifying for the 2011 Open Championship because of an infected finger. He had originally planned against qualifying for the 2011 U.S. Open, where he was outside the top-50 in the OWGR and was not guaranteed automatic entry. He eventually earned a spot in the U.S. Open after being one of the top four at a qualifying tournament near Memphis. García played well in all four rounds of the U.S. Open, ending in a tie for seventh place at five-under par 279.[25] García finished tied for ninth place in The 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George's. This was his 17th career top-10 finish in a major.
In late June 2011, García almost broke his winless streak dating back to 2008, when he lost at the fifth sudden-death playoff hole to fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal at the BMW International Open. García led the tournament after the 11th hole of the final round with a stunning stretch of holes, which saw him produce three birdies and two eagles in six holes, from holes six to eleven. However his charge to the finish was derailed by four bogeys in five holes, leaving him needing a birdie at the last to make the playoff. In the playoff, both players made consecutive birdies at the first two extra holes (both par 5s) before parring holes three and four (both par 3s). At the fifth extra hole, García had a 30-foot (9 m) eagle putt for the victory, but ran the effort four feet (1.3 m) past the hole. The resulting putt lipped out, allowing Larrazábal to hole a two-foot birdie putt for the victory.[26]
García's runner-up finish at the BMW International Open ensured qualification for the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George's, through the current form money list exemption. García went on to finish tied for 9th place at the Open Championship, his best finish for four years. He continued the run at the 2011 PGA Championship where he finished in a tie for 12th place, extending his streak to 50 consecutive majors played, the longest streak among active players. In October 2011, García ended a three-year title drought with back-to-back wins in his home country at the Castelló Masters and the Andalucía Masters. García won the Castelló Masters in dominant fashion, with a final score of 27-under-par, 11 strokes ahead of the field. It was the joint third highest victory margin on the European Tour, beaten only by Tiger Woods' 15 stroke victory at the 2000 U.S. Open and Ernie Els' 13 stroke win at the 2005 BMW Asian Open. After the win, García dedicated it to the late Seve Ballesteros, stating "That was for Seve."[27]
The following week, García won the Andalucía Masters, played at the Club de Golf Valderrama, arguably regarded as one of the toughest golf courses on the European Tour. He edged out fellow countryman Miguel Ángel Jiménez by one shot after a tense final round.[28] Following his back-to-back wins, García moved back into the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking. In August 2012, García ended a four-year title drought on the PGA Tour by winning the Wyndham Championship. In doing so, García also secured his place on the 2012 Ryder Cup team. In December 2012, García fired a final round 61 to win the Iskandar Johor Open on the Asian Tour.
2013: Controversy
While tied for the lead at the 2013 Players Championship, García hit three balls into the water on the 17th and 18th holes, finishing quadruple-bogey, double-bogey. He finished tied for eighth place.[29] After the tournament ended, García and Tiger Woods (who won the tournament) had a public feud over an incident that occurred during the third round. Two weeks later, at a European Tour players dinner, García was asked about meeting with Woods at the U.S. Open, to which he responded, "We'll have him 'round every night. We will serve fried chicken."[30] The remark was seen as racist. García issued a statement later that night apologizing and then issued another apology the next day, saying that his comments were "totally stupid and out of place."[31][32]
2014–2016
In January 2014, García won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after defeating Mikko Ilonen in a playoff.[33] The win put him back in the world top 10.[34]
In July 2014, García finished joint runner-up at the 2014 Open Championship, two strokes behind Rory McIlroy. This was the second time García had finished as a runner-up at The Open Championship and fourth time in a major championship, having still yet to break through. García began the final round seven strokes behind McIlroy, but got to within two after an eagle on the 10th hole. However his challenge was ended when he left his second shot in the bunker at the par three 15th which he would bogey to fall three behind with three to play. This finish moved García back inside the world's top five in the world rankings.
The biggest result of García's 2015 season was at the 2015 Players Championship; where he tied Rickie Fowler and Kevin Kisner at 12 under par after 72 holes. He was then eliminated after the three-hole playoff, after finishing two strokes behind Fowler and Kisner. Fowler would go on to win in sudden-death.[35] On the Asian Tour, he won the Ho Tram Open in Phước Thuận, Vietnam, beating Lin Wen-tang, Himmat Rai and Thaworn Wiratchant in a four-way playoff.[36]
As the year before at The Players Championship, García came very close to another win on the PGA Tour at The Honda Classic. In a final round showdown with Adam Scott, where the pair started the final round level, the Aussie prevailed by one shot.[37] In May, García won his second AT&T Byron Nelson championship in a playoff over Brooks Koepka.[38] The win was his first on the PGA Tour since 2012 and his ninth career victory, tying Seve Ballesteros for most by a Spanish-born player.[39]
2017: First major championship win
In February 2017, García completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for his first European Tour title in over three years.[40] The victory was García's 12th of his European Tour career, as he finished three strokes ahead of Henrik Stenson. The victory moved García back inside the top-10 and after the win García said "Hopefully it will be the beginning of a great year."[41]
2017 Masters win
On 9 April 2017, in his 74th major championship, García broke through and won the Masters Tournament with victory on the first sudden-death playoff hole against Justin Rose.[42] García became the third Spanish player to win the Masters, after Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal. The victory also came on what would have been Ballesteros' 60th birthday.
García shot rounds of 71-69-70 over the first three rounds to enter the final round at six-under par and in the co-lead with Rose, who played together in the final group. This represented García's second career 54-hole lead/co-lead at a major championship, after the 2007 Open Championship. García began the final round strongly, with two birdies on his opening three holes and he forged a three shot lead early on. Rose came back though and following bogeys on the 10th and 11th for García, Rose opened up a two shot lead.
The 13th hole was then pivotal, as García scrambled a par and Rose missed a short birdie putt to keep the gap at two shots. García would then birdie the next hole and eagle the par five 15th to tie Rose with three holes remaining. They then both hit their tee shots at the 16th close, but only Rose converted, to again lead by one. Rose however would make a mistake at the 17th, leading to a dropped shot and meaning both players were tied going up the 72nd hole. Both players hit their approach shots close on the 18th green, but Rose burnt the lip with his birdie putt. García had a five-foot putt to win the tournament in regulation play but pushed it right resulting in a playoff as both players finished level on 9-under-par after 72 holes.
Playing the 18th hole again, Rose hit his tee shot into the pine straw, meaning his second shot was blocked off by trees, so could only advance his ball 50 yards or so. He played his third to a similar area of the green he had during regulation play. García fired his approach to within twelve feet. Rose's putt for par then missed on the left side of the hole, leaving García with two putts for the win. He only needed one, as he holed his birdie putt for his first major championship.
Rest of 2017
On 9 October 2017, it was announced that García had parted ways with TaylorMade after 15 years with the equipment brand.[43]
Two weeks later, he won the Andalucía Valderrama Masters. Along with the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Masters, it was the first time he had recorded three wins in a single European Tour season. A few days after his win, he spoke about the rising tensions in Spain after the Catalan independence debate, calling on the country to 'be more together'.[44]
Ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in November, García dropped a huge hint that he was on the verge of signing an equipment deal with Callaway Golf Company after playing a full set of the brand's clubs in Dubai.[45]
Following his three-win season, García was named European Tour Golfer of the Year in December.[46]
2018
On 21 January 2018, García played a bogey-free 27 holes to win the Asian Tour's SMBC Singapore Open by five strokes over Satoshi Kodaira and Shaun Norris. García shot four-under on the back nine to close out a third-round 66, then posted a closing three-under 68 in his final round.[47]
2018 Masters
On 5 April 2018, in the first round of the 2018 Masters Tournament, García tied the record for most strokes on a hole in Masters history, shooting a 13 on the 15th hole.[48] García ultimately missed the cut at the 2018 Masters Tournament and failed to defend his title after shooting 81-78.[49]
Rest of 2018
García was a member of the 2018 Ryder Cup winning European team at Le Golf National outside of Paris, France on 28–30 September 2018. He went 3–1–0 and won his singles match against Rickie Fowler (2 and 1). European captain Thomas Bjørn made García a captain's pick notwithstanding García's inconsistent play for much of 2018, but was chosen for his passion and record in the Ryder Cup.
On 22 October 2018, García successfully defended his Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation title after wrapping up a comfortable four-shot victory at Real Club Valderrama in Spain.[50]
2019
In February 2019, García was disqualified from the Saudi International tournament on the European Tour for damaging five greens deliberately in anger during his third round.[51]
In March 2019, García was involved in another controversy at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. García and Matt Kuchar were locked in a quarterfinal duel when things went awry at the par-3 seventh hole. Trailing Kuchar by one, García missed a seven-footer for par to win the hole, his ball coming to rest an inch or two away from the cup. García went after his putt and gave it a quick-rake, and the ball lipped out. Due to the Spaniard's swiftness, Kuchar did not have a chance to concede the putt. As such, García lost the hole. Kuchar told the official he wanted to give García the putt, but that cannot be done retroactively. García eventually lost 2 up to Kuchar, who went on to play in the finals of the event.[52]
In April 2019, García missed the cut at the Masters after shooting 73-75, which was won by Tiger Woods, and the missed cut was his 6th straight in a major championship, the longest such streak in his career.
In July 2019, García was again mired in controversy after throwing his driver at his caddie at the final round of the 2019 Open Championship after a poor drive at the fifth hole at Royal Portrush.[53] Later that month, footage emerged of García gouging the teebox after a poor drive on the 16th hole, while competing at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational event in Memphis.[54]
In September 2019, García won the KLM Open in Amsterdam with a one-shot win over teenage Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. This was his sixteenth European Tour win.[55]
Personal life
García became engaged in January 2017 to Golf Channel reporter Angela Akins, the daughter of Marty Akins.[57] He is also the president and chairman of his hometown football club CF Borriol.[58] He maintains residences in Orlando, Florida,[59] Borriol, and Crans-Montana.[60]
On 14 March 2018, García became a father. He named his daughter Azalea, after the famed flowers of Augusta National Golf Club and the nickname for the par-5 13th hole where García made par to move ahead and help claim his first major.[61][62]
Amateur wins
- 1995 European Amateur
- 1997 Boys Amateur Championship, Sherry Cup (Sotogrande)[63]
- 1998 The Amateur Championship
Professional wins (35)
PGA Tour wins (10)
Legend |
Major championships (1) |
Players Championships (1) |
Other PGA Tour (8) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20 May 2001 | MasterCard Colonial | −13 (69-69-66-63=267) | 2 strokes | |
2 | 25 Jun 2001 | Buick Classic | −16 (68-67-66-67=268) | 3 strokes | |
3 | 6 Jan 2002 | Mercedes Championships | −18 (73-69-68-64=274) | Playoff | |
4 | 16 May 2004 | EDS Byron Nelson Championship | −10 (66-68-65-71=270) | Playoff | |
5 | 13 Jun 2004 | Buick Classic (2) | −12 (70-67-68-67=272) | Playoff | |
6 | 12 Jun 2005 | Booz Allen Classic | −14 (71-68-66-65=270) | 2 strokes | |
7 | 11 May 2008 | The Players Championship | −5 (66-73-73-71=283) | Playoff | |
8 | 20 Aug 2012 | Wyndham Championship | −18 (67-63-66-66=262) | 2 strokes | |
9 | 22 May 2016 | AT&T Byron Nelson (2) | −15 (63-66-68-68=265) | Playoff | |
10 | 9 Apr 2017 | Masters Tournament | −9 (71-69-70-69=279) | Playoff |
PGA Tour playoff record (6–6)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001 | The Tour Championship | Weir won with birdie on first extra hole | |
2 | 2002 | Mercedes Championships | Won with birdie on first extra hole | |
3 | 2004 | EDS Byron Nelson Championship | Won with par on first extra hole | |
4 | 2004 | Buick Classic | Won with birdie on third extra hole Harrington eliminated with par on second hole | |
5 | 2005 | Wachovia Championship | Singh won with par on fourth extra hole García eliminated with par on first hole | |
6 | 2007 | The Open Championship | Lost four-hole aggregate playoff; Harrington: E (3-3-4-5=15), García: +1 (5-3-4-4=16) | |
7 | 2008 | The Players Championship | Won with par on first extra hole | |
8 | 2008 | The Barclays | Singh won with birdie on second extra hole Sutherland eliminated with par on first hole | |
9 | 2008 | The Tour Championship | Lost to par on first extra hole | |
10 | 2015 | The Players Championship | Fowler won with birdie on first extra hole after three-hole aggregate playoff; Fowler: −1 (5-2-4=11), Kisner: −1 (5-2-4=11), García: +1 (5-3-5=13) | |
11 | 2016 | AT&T Byron Nelson | Won with par on first extra hole | |
12 | 2017 | Masters Tournament | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
European Tour wins (16)
Legend |
Major championships (1) |
Other European Tour (15) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 Jul 1999 | Murphy's Irish Open | −16 (69-68-67-64=268) | 3 strokes | |
2 | 3 Oct 1999 | Linde German Masters | −11 (68-69-72-68=277) | Playoff | |
3 | 23 Sep 2001 | Trophée Lancôme | −18 (68-65-68-65=266) | 1 stroke | |
4 | 28 Apr 2002 | Canarias Open de España | −13 (67-68-67-73=275) | 4 strokes | |
5 | 17 Oct 2004 | Mallorca Classic | −12 (66-67-68-67=268) | 4 strokes | |
6 | 4 Sep 2005 | Omega European Masters | −14 (66-65-71-68=270) | 1 stroke | |
7 | 26 Oct 2008 | Castelló Masters Costa Azahar | −20 (66-65-66-67=264) | 3 strokes | |
8 | 9 Nov 2008 (2009 season) |
HSBC Champions1 | −14 (66-68-72-68=274) | Playoff | |
9 | 23 Oct 2011 | Castelló Masters (2) | −27 (67-63-64-63=257) | 11 strokes | |
10 | 30 Oct 2011 | Andalucía Masters | −6 (70-70-67-71=278) | 1 stroke | |
11 | 25 Jan 2014 | Commercial Bank Qatar Masters | −16 (71-67-69-65=272) | Playoff | |
12 | 5 Feb 2017 | Omega Dubai Desert Classic | −19 (65-67-68-69=269) | 3 strokes | |
13 | 9 Apr 2017 | Masters Tournament | −9 (71-69-70-69=279) | Playoff | |
14 | 22 Oct 2017 | Andalucía Valderrama Masters (2) | −12 (66-71-68-67=272) | 1 stroke | |
15 | 22 Oct 2018 | Andalucía Valderrama Masters (3) | −12 (68-64-69=201)* | 4 strokes | |
16 | 15 Sep 2019 | KLM Open | −18 (68-67-66-69=270) | 1 stroke |
*Note: The 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Masters was shortened to 54 holes due to poor weather conditions.
1Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia
European Tour playoff record (4–4)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1999 | Linde German Masters | Won with birdie on second extra hole Woosnam eliminated by par on first hole | |
2 | 2001 | Greg Norman Holden International | Lost to birdie on first extra hole | |
3 | 2004 | Volvo Masters Andalucia | Lost to par on first extra hole | |
4 | 2007 | The Open Championship | Lost four-hole aggregate playoff; Harrington: E (3-3-4-5=15), García: +1 (5-3-4-4=16) | |
5 | 2008 | HSBC Champions | Won with birdie on second extra hole | |
6 | 2011 | BMW International Open | Lost to birdie on fifth extra hole | |
7 | 2014 | Commercial Bank Qatar Masters | Won with birdie on third extra hole | |
8 | 2017 | Masters Tournament | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Japan Golf Tour wins (1)
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runners-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 21 Jan 2018 | SMBC Singapore Open1 | −14 (66-70-66-68=270) | 5 strokes |
1Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour
Japan Golf Tour playoff record (0–1)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1999 | Dunlop Phoenix Tournament | Lost to birdie on fourth extra hole |
Asian Tour wins (6)
Legend |
Thailand Golf Championships (1) |
Other Asian Tour (5) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 Sep 2002 | Kolon Cup Korean Open1 | −23 (67-65-66-67=265) | 3 strokes | |
2 | 9 Nov 2008 | HSBC Champions2 | −14 (66-68-72-68=274) | Playoff | |
3 | 16 Dec 2012 | Iskandar Johor Open | −18 (68-69-61=198)* | 3 strokes | |
4 | 15 Dec 2013 | Thailand Golf Championship | −22 (68-65-65-68=266) | 4 strokes | |
5 | 6 Dec 2015 | Ho Tram Open | −14 (66-68-68-68=270) | Playoff | |
6 | 21 Jan 2018 | SMBC Singapore Open3 | −14 (66-70-66-68=270) | 5 strokes |
*Note: The 2012 Iskandar Johor Open was shortened to 54 holes due to weather.
1Co-sanctioned by the Korean Tour
2Co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia
3Co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour
Asian Tour playoff record (2–0)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2008 | HSBC Champions | Won with birdie on second extra hole | |
2 | 2015 | Ho Tram Open | Won with par on second extra hole Lin and Wiratchant eliminated by birdie on first hole |
PGA Tour of Australasia wins (1)
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 Nov 2008 | HSBC Champions1 | −14 (66-68-72-68=274) | Playoff |
1Co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Sunshine Tour
PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (1–1)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001 | Greg Norman Holden International | Lost to birdie on first extra hole | |
2 | 2008 | HSBC Champions | Won with birdie on second extra hole |
Other wins (5)
No | Year | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1997 | Open de Cataluña (as an amateur) | |||
2 | 2 Dec 2001 | Nedbank Golf Challenge | −20 (68-71-66-63=268) | Playoff | |
3 | 25 Jun 2002 | Telus World Skins Game | $185,000 | $95,000 | |
4 | 30 Nov 2003 | Nedbank Golf Challenge (2) | −14 (68-66-70-70=274) | Playoff | |
5 | 20 Nov 2010 | Gary Player Invitational (with | −14 (66-66=132) | 1 stroke |
Other playoff record (2–0)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001 | Nedbank Golf Challenge | Won with birdie on first extra hole | |
2 | 2003 | Nedbank Golf Challenge | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Major championships
Wins (1)
Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Masters Tournament | Tied for lead | −9 (71-69-70-69=279) | Playoff1 |
1Defeated Rose in a sudden-death playoff: García (3), Rose (5).
Results timeline
Results not in chronological order in 2020.
Tournament | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | T38LA | |||
U.S. Open | ||||
The Open Championship | CUT | T29 | CUT | |
PGA Championship | 2 |
Tournament | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | T40 | CUT | 8 | T28 | T4 | CUT | 46 | CUT | CUT | T38 |
U.S. Open | T46 | T12 | 4 | T35 | T20 | T3 | CUT | CUT | T18 | T10 |
The Open Championship | T36 | T9 | T8 | T10 | CUT | T5 | T5 | 2 | T51 | T38 |
PGA Championship | T34 | CUT | T10 | CUT | CUT | T23 | T3 | DQ | T2 | CUT |
Tournament | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | T45 | T35 | T12 | T8 | CUT | T17 | T34 | 1 | CUT |
U.S. Open | T22 | T7 | T38 | T45 | T35 | T18 | T5 | T21 | CUT |
The Open Championship | T14 | T9 | CUT | T21 | T2 | T6 | T5 | T37 | CUT |
PGA Championship | CUT | T12 | CUT | T61 | T35 | T54 | CUT | CUT | CUT |
Tournament | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | CUT | |
PGA Championship | CUT | CUT |
U.S. Open | T52 | |
The Open Championship | T67 | NT |
LA = Low Amateur
CUT = missed the half way cut
"T" = tied
DQ = disqualified
NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 14 |
PGA Championship | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 10 |
U.S. Open | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 20 | 17 |
The Open Championship | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 23 | 18 |
Totals | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 23 | 35 | 86 | 59 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 10 (2014 U.S. Open – 2016 Open)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (2002 Masters – 2002 PGA)
The Players Championship
Wins (1)
Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | The Players Championship | 3 shot deficit | −5 (66-73-73-71=283) | Playoff1 |
1Defeated Paul Goydos in a sudden-death playoff: García (3), Goydos (5).
Results timeline
Tournament | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Players Championship | CUT | T50 | T4 | CUT | T53 | T32 | T14 | 2 | 1 | T22 | T47 | T12 | T56 | T8 | 3 | T2 | T54 | T30 | 70 | T22 |
CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.
Results in World Golf Championships
Results not in chronological order prior to 2015.
Tournament | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Championship | T7 | T5 | NT1 | 7 | T12 | T4 | T3 | T32 | T3 | T15 | T31 | T37 | T60 | T3 | T16 | T31 | T11 | T12 | T7 | T6 | |
Match Play | R16 | R16 | R64 | R64 | R16 | R32 | R32 | R64 | 4 | R64 | R32 | R16 | T34 | T18 | T30 | R16 | QF | ||||
Invitational | T7 | T58 | T30 | T16 | T13 | T22 | T20 | T36 | T22 | T22 | T53 | T29 | T40 | 2 | T37 | T39 | T39 | T40 | |||
Champions | T23 | 4 | T28 | T11 | T9 | T53 |
Tournament | 2020 |
---|---|
Championship | T37 |
Match Play | NT2 |
Invitational | T35 |
Champions |
1Cancelled due to 9/11
2Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
NT = No tournament
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.
PGA and European Tour career summary
PGA Tour | European Tour | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Wins | Earnings (US$) | Rank | Wins | Earnings (€) | Rank |
1999 | 0 | 784,917 | 53 | 2 | 1,317,693 | 3 |
2000 | 0 | 1,054,338 | 42 | 0 | 599,241 | 21 |
2001 | 2 | 2,898,635 | 6 | 1 | 715,288 | 27 |
2002 | 1 | 2,401,993 | 12 | 1 | 1,488,728 | 6 |
2003 | 0 | 666,386 | 95 | 0 | 496,521 | 49 |
2004 | 2 | 3,239,215 | 9 | 1 | 1,336,254 | 13 |
2005 | 1 | 3,213,375 | 10 | 1 | 1,828,545 | 6 |
2006 | 0 | 1,560,733 | 49 | 0 | 1,456,752 | 11 |
2007 | 0 | 3,721,185 | 9 | 0 | 1,228,267 | 15 |
2008 | 1 | 4,858,224 | 4 | 1 | 1,591,917 | 9 |
2009 | 0 | 1,212,522 | 74 | 1 | 1,660,788 | 10 |
2010 | 0 | 936,845 | 104 | 0 | 771,156 | 42 |
2011 | 0 | 1,524,091 | 54 | 2 | 1,962,723 | 8 |
2012 | 1 | 2,510,116 | 29 | 0 | 699,234 | 43 |
2013 | 0 | 2,251,139 | 26 | 0 | 1,280,581 | 16 |
2014 | 0 | 4,939,606 | 5 | 1 | 2,501,995 | 6 |
2015 | 0 | 2,670,229 | 31 | 0 | 1,048,814 | 31 |
2016 | 1 | 3,242,156 | 25 | 0 | 1,365,994 | 22 |
2017 | 1 | 3,522,476 | 18 | 3 | 3,184,582 | 2 |
2018 | 0 | 878,354 | 124 | 1 | 1,879,947 | 18 |
2019 | 0 | 1,793,027 | 61 | 1 | 1,516,474 | 21 |
Career* | 10 | 49,879,561 | 9 | 16 | 30,887,920 | 3 |
* As of 25 November 2019
These figures are from the respective tour's official sites. Note that there is double counting of money earned and wins in the majors and World Golf Championships.
Team appearances
Amateur
- Jacques Léglise Trophy (representing the Continent of Europe): 1994, 1995, 1996 (winners), 1997, 1998
- European Boys' Team Championship (representing Spain): 1995, 1996 (winners)[64][65]
- European Amateur Team Championship (representing Spain): 1995, 1997 (winners)[66]
- Junior Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 1995 (winners), 1997
- Eisenhower Trophy (representing Spain): 1996, 1998
- St Andrews Trophy (representing the Continent of Europe): 1996
Professional
- Alfred Dunhill Cup (representing Spain): 1999 (winners)
- Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 1999, 2002 (winners), 2004 (winners), 2006 (winners), 2008, 2012 (winners), 2014 (winners), 2016, 2018 (winners)
1999 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | 25.5 |
Golf equipment
García previously had an endorsement deal with TaylorMade and Adidas, at the time a joint company[67] used all TaylorMade equipment, and Adidas shoes and clothing.[68]
Following the acquisition of TaylorMade by KPS Capital Partners and separation from Adidas and after fifteen years with the company, in January 2018 Sergio García severed his ties with TaylorMade, remained with Adidas and signed with Callaway.[69] At the start of 2020, Garcia confirmed he had parted ways with Callaway after two years to become a free agent.
See also
References
- "Week 45 2008 Ending 9 Nov 2008" (pdf). OWGR. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- In isolation, García is pronounced [gaɾˈθi.a].
- "UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020". United Press International. 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
… golfer Sergio Garcia in 1980 (age 40)
- "Garcia ends wait for major glory at Augusta". PGA European Tour. 9 April 2017.
- "69 Players Who Have Reached The Top-10 In World Ranking" (PDF). OWGR.
- "Players who have reached the Top Ten in the Official World Golf Ranking since 1986". European Tour Official Guide 09 (38th ed.). PGA European Tour. 2009. p. 558.
- "McKnight Bests Garcia to Reach Amateur Final". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. 30 August 1998.
- Watterson, Johnny (27 May 2015). "Sergio Garcia excited to return to where it all began at Irish Open". The Irish Times.
- "Tiger vs. Sergio at 1999 PGA Champ at Medinah". PGA of America. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- Porter, Kyle (10 April 2017). "2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia finally gets major after all of these close calls". CBS Sports. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- Carlyon, Briony (24 September 2016). "Spanish Ties Run Deep in Ryder Cup Folklore". Ryder Cup.
- Brown, Ken. "Player swing analysis". BBC Sport.
- Garrity, John (15 July 2002). "What's With the Waggles". Sports Illustrated.
- Apfelbaum, Jim, ed. (2007). The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations – via Amazon.com.
- "Ryder Cup 2012 Official Site Player Records". Ryder Cup.
- Myers, Alex (30 September 2018). "Ryder Cup 2018: Sergio Garcia becomes all-time Ryder Cup points leader, gets extra emotional". Golf Digest. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
With the win, Garcia pushed his career Ryder Cup record to a sparkling 22-12-7 in nine appearances. The 25.5 total points passed the previous record long held by Nick Faldo, who was 23-19-4 in 11 Ryder Cups for Europe.
- Lamport-Stokes, Mark (25 March 2017). "Garcia likely to be fined over spitting incident". Reuters.
- Jempty, Bill (25 March 2007). "Sergio Garcia: Spitting Mad". OTB Sports. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- "Garcia disqualified for signing incorrect scorecard". PGA of America. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- Dorman, Larry (12 May 2008). "García Clears Water and Ends a Drought". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- "Harrington catches Garcia, rallies to win second straight major". ESPN. Associated Press. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- Dorman, Larry (10 August 2008). "At P.G.A., Harrington Foils García (Again)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- "Week 43 – Garcia Climbs to World Number Three with Home Victory at the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar". Official World Golf Rankings. 26 October 2008.
- "2008 World Money List". PGA Tour. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- "Sergio Garcia – 2011 Season". PGA Tour. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- "Larrazabal lands BMW International Open". PGA European Tour. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- "Brilliant Garcia romps to victory". PGA European Tour. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- "Sergio Garcia wins Andalucia by 1 shot". ESPN. Associated Press. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- "Tiger Woods wins 4th title of year". ESPN. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- Corrigan, James (22 May 2013). "Sergio García's racist taunt at world No 1 Tiger Woods ahead of PGA Championship may cost Spaniard millions". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- Harig, Bob (22 May 2013). "Sergio Garcia issues 2nd apology". ESPN. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- Murray, Ewan (22 May 2013). "Sergio García apologises after Tiger Woods 'fried chicken' jibe". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "Sergio Garcia beats Mikko Ilonen in play-off". BBC Sport. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
- Murray, Ewan (25 January 2014). "Sergio García savours redemption after winning Qatar Masters title". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
- "Players Championship: Rickie Fowler wins title after superb finish". BBC Sport. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- "Sergio Garcia wins Ho Tram Open on Asian Tour". ESPN. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- Inglis, Martin (29 February 2016). "Sergio Garcia bemoans swing issues after loss". bunkered.
- Inglis, Martin (23 May 2016). "Sergio Garcia: "I played a la Seve"". bunkered.
- "AT&T Byron Nelson: Garcia beats Koepka in playoff". Golf Digest. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- "Sergio Garcia finishes wire-to-wire win at Dubai Desert Classic". ESPN. Associated Press. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- "Dubai Desert Classic: Sergio Garcia completes wire-to-wire victory". BBC Sport. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- Crouse, Karen (9 April 2017). "Masters 2017: Sergio García Finally Wins First Major Title". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- Inglis, Martin (9 October 2017). "Sergio Garcia announces shock split from TaylorMade". bunkered.
- McEwan, Michael (31 October 2017). "Sergio Garcia calls for Spanish unity". bunkered.
- Inglis, Martin (14 November 2017). "Sergio Garcia talks up Callaway switch". bunkered.
- Inglis, Martin (7 December 2017). "Sergio Garcia named European Tour Golfer of the Year". bunkered.
- Herrington, Ryan (21 January 2018). "A confident Sergio Garcia wins going away in Singapore". Golf Digest. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- Cannizzaro, Mark (5 April 2018). "Sergio Garcia implodes for a stunning 13 on 15th hole". New York Post. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- "Masters 2018: Sergio Garcia becomes second straight defending champion to miss cut". CBS Sports. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- "Brilliant Garcia successfully defends Andalucia Valerrama Masters title". European Tour. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- Zak, Sean (2 February 2019). "Sergio Garcia DQ'd in Saudi Arabia after damaging greens 'in frustration'". Golf.com. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- "2019 WGC-Match Play: Sergio Garcia wanted Matt Kuchar to concede a hole after botched putt". CBS Sports. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- Cunningham, Kevin (24 July 2019). "Sergio Garcia throws driver at caddie Sunday at Portrush in resurfaced video". Golf.com. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- Corrigan, James (29 July 2019). "Players want Sergio Garcia banned after latest tantrum". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
- "Sergio Garcia enjoys a sweet 16th European Tour title with KLM success". Irish Times. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Sergio Garcia Splits from Callaway". GolfReviewsGuide.com. 17 January 2020.
- Bucher, Chris (9 April 2017). "Sergio Garcia's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". heavy.com.
- Thurber, Matt (14 November 2011). "Sergio Garcia". Business Jet Traveler.
- "Sergio Garcia's House in Orlando, FL". 17 January 2009.
- "Inside Crans Montana with Sergio Garcia". PGA European Tour. 22 July 2015.
- Montes, Silvia (12 October 2017). "Sergio García anuncia que va a ser padre de una forma muy original". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "Sergio García es padre a tres semanas de Augusta". Diario AS (in Spanish). 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "Internationellt Amatörer, Sherry Cup" [International, Amateurs, Sherry Cup]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 5. May 1997. p. 225.
- European Youths Team Championship European Golf Association
- "Golf - Den Stora Sporten'" [Golf - the Great Sport] (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation 100 Years. p. 200.
- "European Amateur Team Championship". European Golf Association.
- "TaylorMade PGA Tour Players: Sergio García". TaylorMade Golf. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2006.
- "What's in the winners' bags for the week of December 15, 2013". PGA of America. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- Heath, Elliot (24 January 2018). "Sergio Garcia What's In The Bag?". Golf Monthly. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sergio Garcia. |
- Official website
- Sergio García at the European Tour official site
- Sergio García at the PGA Tour official site
- Sergio García at the Japan Golf Tour official site
- Sergio García at the Official World Golf Ranking official site
- Interview – The Observer, 8 October 2006