It’s the story everyone who covers golf wanted to write. Sergio Garcia won the 2017 Masters Championship. The monkey finally was listed off the back of the Spaniard. No longer was he part of the list of “Greatest golfer to have never won …” For Garcia, the 2008 winner of The Players Championship, this year has already been one to remember. Winning another PGA golf title here in Ponte Vedra, Florida would certainly add to his success.
Garcia has played this course well over the years. He told the media on Wednesday it’s a tournament he looks forward to playing and hopes to be able to add another title to his resume after this weekend.
Two-time winner of The Players Championship.
“Yeah, great to be back. Obviously, a course that I love, and I’ve been lucky enough to do fairly well here. Yeah, changes look nice. The course obviously is in amazing shape, probably the best shape since they first redid it. You know, it looks really nice, and the greens are firm. They’re rolling very, very beautifully. I’m sure it’s going to be a great test of golf throughout the week.”
Those changes to the course could play right into Garcia’s wheelhouse. He has grown accustomed to adapting to the greens and fairways – to allow his skills to play the course. In some cases with other players, they do not adjust to conditions or do not have a solid understanding of how these 18 holes play. For Garcia, Sawgrass tests all his skills.
While Sergio Garcia has to be considered one of the favorites this weekend, there may be some question about his game. This is the first time he has played in a month. Playing here is no cakewalk. Garcia said he believes that everything that came with the Masters’ win, taking the time off was necessary. Now, he’s ready to come back and add more wins to his 2017 season. He also said the support he has received here on American soil for finally winning a major has been tremendous.
“Yeah, it’s been amazing. I think that — there are so many great things that have happened since Sunday at Augusta. You know, the support from fans and supporters and everyone around the world has been amazing.
“But for me, what has meant the most, it’s to see the reaction from the players, you know, towards me and how happy — other than a couple, how happy they all have been (laughing) — well, it’s true. I’m not going to lie.”
Those same players will be in the field starting Thursday as they too try to win what many consider to be the PGA’s “fifth major.”
Sergio Garcia said the plan all along was to take time off from golf after Augusta – won or not. The time has allowed him the chance to soak in what he has accomplished. But now, it’s time to focus on his game again and winning tournaments.
“I had a plan like this before we managed to win the Masters. I’m actually glad that we did because with everything that has been going on and everything that we’ve had to do after winning at Augusta, not only in Spain but here in the U.S. and all, it’s actually been nice to be able to have a couple of weeks in Switzerland with Angela, where we relaxed and pretty much did nothing,” Garcia said.
“Is it ideal to come back and be the first tournament this one? Hopefully. Hopefully, we’ll be able to say that on Sunday.”