Sergio García Explained

Sergio García
Fullname:Sergio García Fernández
Nickname:El Niño
Birth Date:1980 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Borriol, Castellón, Spain
Height:5 ft 10 in
Weight:180lb
Residence:Borriol, Castellón, Spain
Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Children:2
Yearpro:1999
Tour:Asian Tour
LIV Golf
Extour:PGA Tour
European Tour
Prowins:37
Pgawins:11
Eurowins:16
Japwins:1
Asiawins:5
Livwins:1
Otherwins:5
Majorwins:1
Usopen:T3: 2005
Open:2nd/T2: 2007, 2014
Pga:2nd/T2: 1999, 2008
Award1:Sir Henry Cotton
Rookie of the Year
Year1:1999
Award2:Byron Nelson Award
Year2:2008
Award3:Vardon Trophy
Year3:2008
Award4:European Tour
Golfer of the Year
Year4:2017

Sergio García Fernández (pronounced as /es/;[1] born 9 January 1980)[2] is a Spanish professional golfer. He turned professional in 1999 and played on the European Tour and PGA Tour prior to joining LIV Golf in 2022. García has won 36 international tournaments as a professional, most notably the 2008 Players Championship and the 2017 Masters Tournament.[3] García was also the Chairman of Spanish football team CF Borriol.[4]

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] He reached his highest career ranking, second, 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, he competed in ten of the eleven matches playing during his professional career cumulatively earning a record 28.5 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 Mediterrania. 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.

Garcia was part of the Spanish teams winning the European Boys' Team Championship in 1996 and 1997.[7] In 1998, he won The Amateur Championship at Muirfield and reached the semi-finals of the U.S. Amateur.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] [11] 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.[12] 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 575yd hole at the Augusta National Golf Club, he holed a 253yd 2-iron following a 325yd 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.[13] 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[14] 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."[15]

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 October 2020, he has eleven 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 2023, and has a career record at the Ryder Cup of 25–13–7 .[16] He has been in six winning sides and his singles win in 2018 made him the all-time Ryder Cup points leader, with 25 points in 9 appearances, overtaking Nick Faldo's 25 points in 11 appearances.[17] By winning three of his four matches at Whistling Straits in 2021, he extended this record to 28 points, and also surpassed Faldo as the player with the most individual match victories, with 25.

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 18 points to the United States' 9 points. At the 2020 Ryder Cup, Garcia won the inaugural Nicklaus-Jacklin Award for the European team. It is an award given to the player whose teamwork, sportsmanship, performance and decisions epitomized the spirit of the Ryder Cup.[18]

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.[19] [20] 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, 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 20feet 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.[21]

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.[22]

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.[23] 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."[24]

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.[25] 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.[26]

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.[27]

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.[27] 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 30feet 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.[28]

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."[29]

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.[30] 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.[31] 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."[32] 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."[33] [34]

2014–2016

In January 2014, García won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after defeating Mikko Ilonen in a playoff.[35] The win put him back in the world top 10.[36] 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.[37] 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.[38]

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.[39] In May, García won his second AT&T Byron Nelson championship in a playoff over Brooks Koepka.[40] 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.[41]

2017: 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.[42] 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."[43]

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.[44] 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 missed 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 only 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.[45]

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'.[46]

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.[47]

Following his three-win season, García was named European Tour Golfer of the Year in December.[48]

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.[49]

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.[50] García ultimately missed the cut at the 2018 Masters Tournament and failed to defend his title after shooting 81–78.[51]

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.[52]

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.[53]

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.[54]

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.[55] 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.[56]

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.[57]

2020

In January 2020, speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, García revealed that he had ended his association with Callaway after just two years together.

In October 2020, García won the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi. He has now won PGA Tour events in three separate decades.[58]

Tennis debut

Also in October 2020, it was announced that García would partner Amer Delić in a semi-professional doubles tournament to be held in Austin, Texas.[59] The pair lost their opening match at the Men's UTR Pro Tennis event.[60]

2022

In May, while competing at the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour, García had a verbal altercation with a rules official while attempting to find his ball. García became heated after being told it took too long to find his ball, leading to him shouting "A couple more weeks, and I won't have to deal with you anymore". This led to speculation that Garcia would join the Saudi Arabia-led LIV Golf Invitational Series.[61] García resigned from the PGA Tour and was then suspended from its future tournaments after he began to play in the first LIV Golf tournament.[62]

2023

Having joined LIV, García was subject to fines and suspension from the European Tour for playing without a conflicting event release. After those sanctions were upheld by an independent arbitrator, in May 2023, the European Tour announced that he had resigned his membership of the tour.[63]

Personal life

In July 2017, García married Golf Channel reporter Angela Akins, the daughter of Marty Akins.[64] [65] His sister Mar is married to the footballer Pablo Hernández.[66] Until June 2018, he was also the president and chairman of his hometown football club CF Borriol, for whom he occasionally played in the Tercera División.[67] [68] He maintains residences in Austin, Texas,[69] Orlando, Florida,[70] Borriol, and Crans-Montana.[71]

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 only major championship.[72] [73] They had son Enzo in April 2020.[74]

García is also an avid Real Madrid supporter and was invited to take the honorary kickoff for El Clásico (between Real and archrival FC Barcelona) at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu wearing his green jacket after his Masters victory.[75]

Amateur wins

Professional wins (37)

PGA Tour wins (11)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Players Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (9)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
120 May 2001MasterCard Colonial−13 (69-69-66-63=267)2 strokes Brian Gay, Phil Mickelson
225 Jun 2001Buick Classic−16 (68-67-66-67=268)3 strokes Scott Hoch
36 Jan 2002Mercedes Championships−18 (73-69-68-64=274)Playoff David Toms
416 May 2004EDS Byron Nelson Championship−10 (66-68-65-71=270)Playoff Robert Damron, Dudley Hart
513 Jun 2004Buick Classic (2)−12 (70-67-68-67=272)Playoff Pádraig Harrington, Rory Sabbatini
612 Jun 2005Booz Allen Classic−14 (71-68-66-65=270)2 strokes Ben Crane, Davis Love III,
Adam Scott
711 May 2008The Players Championship−5 (66-73-73-71=283)Playoff Paul Goydos
820 Aug 2012Wyndham Championship−18 (67-63-66-66=262)2 strokes Tim Clark
922 May 2016AT&T Byron Nelson (2)−15 (63-66-68-68=265)Playoff Brooks Koepka
109 Apr 2017Masters Tournament−9 (71-69-70-69=279)Playoff Justin Rose
114 Oct 2020Sanderson Farms Championship−19 (68-68-66-67=269)1 stroke Peter Malnati

PGA Tour playoff record (6–6)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12001The Tour Championship Ernie Els, David Toms,
Mike Weir
Weir won with birdie on first extra hole
22002Mercedes Championships David TomsWon with birdie on first extra hole
32004EDS Byron Nelson Championship Robert Damron, Dudley HartWon with par on first extra hole
42004Buick Classic Pádraig Harrington, Rory SabbatiniWon with birdie on third extra hole
Harrington eliminated by par on second hole
52005Wachovia Championship Jim Furyk, Vijay SinghSingh won with par on fourth extra hole
García eliminated by par on first hole
62007The Open Championship Pádraig HarringtonLost four-hole aggregate playoff;
Harrington: E (3-3-4-5=15),
García: +1 (5-3-4-4=16)
72008The Players Championship Paul GoydosWon with par on first extra hole
82008The Barclays Vijay Singh, Kevin SutherlandSingh won with birdie on second extra hole
Sutherland eliminated by birdie on first hole
92008The Tour Championship Camilo VillegasLost to par on first extra hole
102015The Players Championship Rickie Fowler, Kevin KisnerFowler 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)
112016AT&T Byron Nelson Brooks KoepkaWon with par on first extra hole
122017Masters Tournament Justin RoseWon with birdie on first extra hole

European Tour wins (16)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other European Tour (15)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
14 Jul 1999Murphy's Irish Open−16 (69-68-67-64=268)3 strokes Ángel Cabrera
23 Oct 1999Linde German Masters−11 (68-69-72-68=277)Playoff Pádraig Harrington, Ian Woosnam
323 Sep 2001Trophée Lancôme−18 (68-65-68-65=266)1 stroke Retief Goosen
428 Apr 2002Canarias Open de España−13 (67-68-67-73=275)4 strokes Emanuele Canonica
517 Oct 2004Mallorca Classic−12 (66-67-68-67=268)4 strokes Simon Khan
64 Sep 2005Omega European Masters−14 (66-65-71-68=270)1 stroke Peter Gustafsson
726 Oct 2008Castelló Masters Costa Azahar−20 (66-65-66-67=264)3 strokes Peter Hedblom
89 Nov 2008
(2009 season)
HSBC Champions1−14 (66-68-72-68=274)Playoff Oliver Wilson
923 Oct 2011Castelló Masters (2)−27 (67-63-64-63=257)11 strokes Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño
1030 Oct 2011Andalucía Masters−6 (70-70-67-71=278)1 stroke Miguel Ángel Jiménez
1125 Jan 2014Commercial Bank Qatar Masters−16 (71-67-69-65=272)Playoff Mikko Ilonen
125 Feb 2017Omega Dubai Desert Classic−19 (65-67-68-69=269)3 strokes Henrik Stenson
139 Apr 2017Masters Tournament−9 (71-69-70-69=279)Playoff Justin Rose
1422 Oct 2017Andalucía Valderrama Masters (2)−12 (66-71-68-67=272)1 stroke Joost Luiten
1522 Oct 2018Andalucía Valderrama Masters (3)−12 (68-64-69=201)*4 strokes Shane Lowry
1615 Sep 2019KLM Open−18 (68-67-66-69=270)1 stroke Nicolai Højgaard
*Note: The 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Masters was shortened to 54 holes due to weather.
1Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, but unofficial money event.

European Tour playoff record (4–4)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11999Linde German Masters Pádraig Harrington, Ian WoosnamWon with birdie on second extra hole
Woosnam eliminated by par on first hole
22001Greg Norman Holden International Aaron BaddeleyLost to birdie on first extra hole
32004Volvo Masters Andalucía Ian PoulterLost to par on first extra hole
42007The Open Championship Pádraig HarringtonLost four-hole aggregate playoff;
Harrington: E (3-3-4-5=15),
García: +1 (5-3-4-4=16)
52008HSBC Champions Oliver WilsonWon with birdie on second extra hole
62011BMW International Open Pablo LarrazábalLost to birdie on fifth extra hole
72014Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Mikko IlonenWon with birdie on third extra hole
82017Masters Tournament Justin RoseWon with birdie on first extra hole

Japan Golf Tour wins (1)

1Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour

Japan Golf Tour playoff record (0–1)

Asian Tour wins (5)

Legend
Flagship events (1)
Other Asian Tour (4)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
18 Sep 2002Kolon Cup Korea Open1−23 (67-65-66-67=265)3 strokes Kang Wook-soon
216 Dec 2012Iskandar Johor Open−18 (68-69-61=198)*3 strokes Jonathan Moore
315 Dec 2013Thailand Golf Championship−22 (68-65-65-68=266)4 strokes Henrik Stenson
46 Dec 2015Ho Tram Open−14 (66-68-68-68=270)Playoff Lin Wen-tang, Himmat Rai,
Thaworn Wiratchant
521 Jan 2018SMBC Singapore Open2−14 (66-70-66-68=270)5 strokes Satoshi Kodaira, Shaun Norris
*Note: The 2012 Iskandar Johor Open was shortened to 54 holes due to weather.
1Co-sanctioned by the Korean Tour
2Co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour

Asian Tour playoff record (1–0)

LIV Golf League wins (1)

LIV Golf League playoff record (1–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
12023LIV Golf Singapore Talor GoochLost to birdie on first extra hole
22024LIV Golf Mayakoba Joaquín NiemannLost to birdie on fourth extra hole
32024LIV Golf Miami Dean BurmesterLost to par on second extra hole
42024LIV Golf Andalucía Anirban LahiriWon with par on second extra hole

Other wins (5)

NoYearTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 1997 Open de Cataluña
(as an amateur)
2 2 Dec 2001 −20 (68-71-66-63=268) Playoff Ernie Els
3 25 Jun 2002 $185,000 $95,000 Vijay Singh
4 30 Nov 2003 Nedbank Golf Challenge (2) −14 (68-66-70-70=274) Playoff Retief Goosen
5 20 Nov 2010 Gary Player Invitational
(with John Cook)
−14 (66-66=132) 1 stroke Darren Fichardt and Bertus Smit

Other playoff record (2–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
12001Nedbank Golf Challenge Ernie ElsWon with birdie on first extra hole
22003Nedbank Golf Challenge Retief GoosenWon with birdie on first extra hole

Major championships

Wins (1)

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 TournamentT38LA
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUTT29CUT
PGA Championship2
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Masters TournamentT40CUT8T28T4CUT46CUTCUTT38
U.S. OpenT46T124T35T20T3CUTCUTT18T10
The Open ChampionshipT36T9T8T10CUTT5T52T51T38
PGA ChampionshipT34CUTT10CUTCUTT23T3DQT2CUT
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Masters TournamentT45T35T12T8CUTT17T341CUT
U.S. OpenT22T7T38T45T35T18T5T21CUT
The Open ChampionshipT14T9CUTT21T2T6T5T37CUT
PGA ChampionshipCUTT12CUTT61T35T54CUTCUTCUT
Tournament201920202021202220232024
Masters TournamentCUTCUTT23CUTCUT
PGA ChampionshipCUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. OpenT52CUTT19CUTT27T12
The Open ChampionshipT67NTT19T68
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
1 0 0 2 4 7 25 15
PGA Championship 0 2 1 3 4 6 24 10
0 0 1 3 5 13 25 20
0 2 0 5 10 13 25 20
Totals 1 4 2 13 23 39 99 65

The Players Championship

Results timeline

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
C = Cancelled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Results in World Golf Championships

Results not in chronological order before 2015.

Tournament199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
ChampionshipT7T5NT17T12T4T3T32T3T15T31T37T60T3T16T31T11T12T7T6
Match PlayR16R16R64R64R16R32R32R644R64R32R16T34T18T30R16QF
InvitationalT7T58T30T16T13T22T20T36T22T22T53T29T402T37T39T39T40
ChampionsT234T28T11T9T53
Tournament202020212022
ChampionshipT37T32
Match PlayNT2QFT26
InvitationalT35T26
ChampionsNT2NT2NT2
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.
Note that the Championship and Invitational were discontinued from 2022.

PGA and European Tour career summary

PGA Tour European Tour
Season Wins Earnings (US$) Rank [77] 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
2020 0 658,935 124 0 360,397 43
Career* 10 50,538,497 10[78] 16 31,189,904 3[79]
* As of 19 September 2020

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

Professional

Ryder Cup points record! 1999!! 2002!! 2004!! 2006!! 2008!! 2012!! 2014!! 2016!! 2018!! 2021!! Total
3.534.54122.523328.5

Golf equipment

García previously had an endorsement deal with TaylorMade and Adidas, at the time a joint company[83] used all TaylorMade equipment, and Adidas shoes and clothing.[84]

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.[85] At the start of 2020, García confirmed he had parted ways with Callaway after two years to become a free agent.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. In isolation, García is pronounced pronounced as /es/.
  2. News: UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. . 9 January 2020. 15 January 2020 . 15 January 2020. https://archive.today/20200115192229/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2020/01/09/UPI-Almanac-for-Thursday-Jan-9-2020/6871578415895/. live. … golfer Sergio Garcia in 1980 (age 40).
  3. Web site: Garcia ends wait for major glory at Augusta . PGA European Tour . 9 April 2017.
  4. News: Sergio García deja la presidencia del Borriol CF. Sergio García leaves the presidency of Borriol CF . 21 January 2021 . . 29 June 2018 . Spanish.
  5. Web site: 69 Players Who Have Reached The Top-10 In World Ranking . OWGR.
  6. Book: European Tour Official Guide 09 . 38th . 2009 . . Players who have reached the Top Ten in the Official World Golf Ranking since 1986 . 558.
  7. Web site: European Boys' Team Championship – European Golf Association . 19 October 2015 . 22 January 2023.
  8. News: McKnight Bests Garcia to Reach Amateur Final . Associated Press . 30 August 1998 . Los Angeles Times.
  9. News: Sergio Garcia excited to return to where it all began at Irish Open . Johnny . Watterson . The Irish Times . 27 May 2015.
  10. Web site: Tiger vs. Sergio at 1999 PGA Champ at Medinah . 14 July 2015 . PGA of America . 10 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055515/http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/multimedia/video/tiger-woods-defeats-sergio-garcia-1999-pga-champ-medinah . 11 April 2017 . dead .
  11. News: 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia finally gets major after all of these close calls . Porter . Kyle . 10 April 2017 . CBS Sports . 11 April 2017.
  12. Web site: Spanish Ties Run Deep in Ryder Cup Folklore . 24 September 2016 . Briony . Carlyon . Ryder Cup.
  13. News: Player swing analysis . Ken . Brown . BBC Sport.
  14. What's With the Waggles . 15 July 2002 . Sports Illustrated . John . Garrity.
  15. Book: The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations . Jim . Apfelbaum . 2007 . Skyhorse Publishing . 978-1602390140 .
  16. Web site: Ryder Cup 2012 Official Site Player Records . Ryder Cup .
  17. Ryder Cup 2018: Sergio Garcia becomes all-time Ryder Cup points leader, gets extra emotional . Alex . Myers . Golf Digest . 30 September 2018 . 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..
  18. Web site: Johnson and Garcia win Inaugural Nicklaus-Jacklin Award Presented by AON . September 26, 2021 . Rydercup.com.
  19. Web site: Garcia likely to be fined over spitting incident . 25 March 2017 . Reuters . Mark . Lamport-Stokes.
  20. Web site: Sergio Garcia: Spitting Mad . OTB Sports . Bill . Jempty . 25 March 2007 . 19 June 2011.
  21. Web site: Garcia disqualified for signing incorrect scorecard . PGA of America . 19 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110608191707/http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2007/news/garcia_dq_081107.html . 8 June 2011 . dead .
  22. News: Dorman . Larry . 12 May 2008 . García Clears Water and Ends a Drought . The New York Times . 19 June 2011.
  23. News: Harrington catches Garcia, rallies to win second straight major . ESPN . 11 August 2008 . Associated Press . 19 June 2011.
  24. News: At P.G.A., Harrington Foils García (Again) . Dorman . Larry . 10 August 2008 . The New York Times . 23 April 2017 . 0362-4331.
  25. Web site: Week 43 – Garcia Climbs to World Number Three with Home Victory at the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar . Official World Golf Rankings . 26 October 2008.
  26. Web site: 2008 World Money List . PGA Tour . 19 June 2011.
  27. Web site: Sergio Garcia – 2011 Season . PGA Tour . 10 April 2017.
  28. Web site: Larrazabal lands BMW International Open . PGA European Tour . 26 June 2011.
  29. Web site: Brilliant Garcia romps to victory . 23 October 2011 . PGA European Tour . 23 October 2011.
  30. News: Sergio Garcia wins Andalucia by 1 shot . 30 October 2011 . ESPN . Associated Press . 1 November 2011.
  31. News: Tiger Woods wins 4th title of year . ESPN . 13 May 2013 . 15 May 2013.
  32. News: Sergio García's racist taunt at world No 1 Tiger Woods ahead of PGA Championship may cost Spaniard millions . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/10074931/Sergio-Garcias-racist-taunt-at-world-No-1-Tiger-Woods-ahead-of-PGA-Championship-may-cost-Spaniard-millions.html . 12 January 2022 . subscription . live . 22 May 2013 . The Daily Telegraph . James . Corrigan . 23 May 2013.
  33. News: Harig . Bob . Sergio Garcia issues 2nd apology . ESPN . 22 May 2013 . 22 May 2013.
  34. News: Sergio García apologises after Tiger Woods 'fried chicken' jibe . 22 May 2013 . The Guardian . Ewan . Murray . 23 May 2013.
  35. News: Sergio Garcia beats Mikko Ilonen in play-off . 25 January 2014 . BBC Sport . 30 January 2014.
  36. Web site: Sergio García savours redemption after winning Qatar Masters title . 25 January 2014 . The Guardian . Ewan . Murray . 30 January 2014.
  37. News: Players Championship: Rickie Fowler wins title after superb finish . 11 May 2015 . BBC Sport . 17 October 2016.
  38. News: Sergio Garcia wins Ho Tram Open on Asian Tour . 6 December 2015 . ESPN . 17 October 2015.
  39. Sergio Garcia bemoans swing issues after loss . 29 February 2016 . bunkered . Martin . Inglis.
  40. Sergio Garcia: "I played a la Seve" . 23 May 2016 . bunkered . Martin . Inglis.
  41. AT&T Byron Nelson: Garcia beats Koepka in playoff . Golf Digest . 22 May 2016 . 22 May 2016.
  42. News: Sergio Garcia finishes wire-to-wire win at Dubai Desert Classic . 5 February 2017 . ESPN . Associated Press . 11 April 2017.
  43. News: Dubai Desert Classic: Sergio Garcia completes wire-to-wire victory . 5 February 2017 . BBC Sport . 11 April 2017.
  44. News: Masters 2017: Sergio García Finally Wins First Major Title . 9 April 2017 . The New York Times . Karen . Crouse . 10 April 2017.
  45. Sergio Garcia announces shock split from TaylorMade . 9 October 2017 . bunkered . Martin . Inglis.
  46. Sergio Garcia calls for Spanish unity . 31 October 2017 . bunkered . Michael . McEwan.
  47. Sergio Garcia talks up Callaway switch . 14 November 2017 . bunkered . Martin . Inglis.
  48. Sergio Garcia named European Tour Golfer of the Year . 7 December 2017 . bunkered . Martin . Inglis.
  49. A confident Sergio Garcia wins going away in Singapore . 21 January 2018 . Golf Digest . Ryan . Herrington . 22 October 2018.
  50. News: Sergio Garcia implodes for a stunning 13 on 15th hole . 5 April 2018 . New York Post . Mark . Cannizzaro . 5 April 2018.
  51. News: Masters 2018: Sergio Garcia becomes second straight defending champion to miss cut . 7 April 2018 . CBS Sports . 22 October 2018.
  52. News: Brilliant Garcia successfully defends Andalucia Valerrama Masters title . 22 October 2018 . European Tour . 22 October 2018.
  53. Web site: Golf.com . Sergio Garcia DQ'd in Saudi Arabia after damaging greens 'in frustration'. 2 February 2019 . 9 February 2019 . Zak . Sean.
  54. News: 2019 WGC-Match Play: Sergio Garcia wanted Matt Kuchar to concede a hole after botched putt. CBS Sports . 31 March 2019 . 31 March 2019 .
  55. News: Sergio Garcia throws driver at caddie Sunday at Portrush in resurfaced video. 24 July 2019 . 29 July 2019 . Kevin . Cunningham . Golf.com .
  56. News: Players want Sergio Garcia banned after latest tantrum . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2019/07/29/players-want-sergio-garcia-banned-latest-tantrum/ . 12 January 2022 . subscription . live . Corrigan . James . 29 July 2019. The Telegraph . 30 July 2019.
  57. Web site: Sergio Garcia enjoys a sweet 16th European Tour title with KLM success. 15 September 2019 . 16 September 2019 . Irish Times .
  58. Web site: Garcia birdies 18th hole to seal first PGA title since 2017 Masters win . 4 October 2020 . The 42 . 6 October 2020.
  59. Web site: Sergio Garcia's Masters prep to include him making his… pro tennis debut? - Australian Golf Digest. 22 October 2020 .
  60. Web site: Sergio Garcia hits the tennis court with Amer Delic Tennis.com.
  61. Web site: Golf World Reacts to Thursday's Sergio Garcia Drama . 21 February 2024 .
  62. News: Schlabach . Mark . PGA Tour suspends all players taking part in first LIV Golf tournament . . 2022-06-10 . 9 June 2022.
  63. News: Dempster . Martin . LIV Golf quartet, including Lee Westwood, resign as DP World Tour members . 3 May 2023 . The Scotsman . 3 May 2023.
  64. Web site: Sergio Garcia's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know . Chris . Bucher . 9 April 2017 . heavy.com.
  65. Sergio Garcia, Angela Akins get married in fun ceremony with green jacket . Golfweek . Kevin . Casey . 30 July 2017.
  66. News: Leeds United playmaker Pablo Hernandez spotted at the Ryder Cup . 28 February 2021 . Yorkshire Evening Post . 30 September 2018.
  67. News: Sergio García deja la presidencia del Borriol CF. Sergio García leaves the presidency of Borriol CF . 21 January 2021 . . 29 June 2018 . Spanish.
  68. News: Sergio García debutó en el Borriol, de Tercera División. Sergio García debuted for Borriol, of the Tercera División. 21 January 2021 . . 12 September 2010 . Spanish.
  69. Web site: Sergio Garcia Lists Austin House . 8 February 2022.
  70. Web site: Sergio Garcia's House in Orlando, FL . 17 January 2009.
  71. Web site: Inside Crans Montana with Sergio Garcia . PGA European Tour . 22 July 2015.
  72. News: Montes . Silvia . Sergio García anuncia que va a ser padre de una forma muy original . 12 October 2017 . 14 March 2018 . . es.
  73. News: Sergio García es padre a tres semanas de Augusta . 14 March 2018 . 14 March 2018 . Diario AS . es.
  74. Sergio Garcia and his wife welcome a second child, stay away from a Masters-themed name this time . Golf Digest . Alex . Myers . 13 April 2020.
  75. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAMWIi80uSQ El Clásico - Sergio García does the honour kickoff
  76. Internationellt Amatörer, Sherry Cup . International, Amateurs, Sherry Cup . Svensk Golf . 5 . May 1997 . 225 . sv.
  77. Web site: Official Money . PGA Tour . 2 October 2020.
  78. Web site: Career Money Leaders . PGA Tour . 2 October 2020.
  79. Web site: Career Money List . PGA European Tour . 2 October 2020.
  80. http://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-youths-team-championship European Youths Team Championship
  81. Web site: Golf - Den Stora Sporten'. Golf - the Great Sport. Swedish Golf Federation 100 Years. 200. sv.
  82. Web site: European Amateur Team Championship . 19 October 2015 . European Golf Association.
  83. Web site: TaylorMade PGA Tour Players: Sergio García . TaylorMade Golf . 15 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061119022119/http://www.taylormadegolf.com/players.asp?tID=2&pID=152 . 19 November 2006.
  84. Web site: What's in the winners' bags for the week of December 15, 2013 . 16 December 2013 . PGA of America . 19 December 2013.
  85. Heath . Elliot. Sergio Garcia What's In The Bag? . Golf Monthly . 24 January 2018 . 4 May 2018.