2016 Honda Classic: Sergio’s Search

2016 Honda Classic: Sergio’s Search
Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the eighth green during the first round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champions Course on Feb. 25. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
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Palm Beach Gardens, FL—Since 1999, when a then 19-year-old youngster leaped onto the world professional golf stage battling Tiger Woods down the stretch for the PGA Championship at Medinah, many experts within golf forecasted the talented Sergio Garcia as the next great Spaniard—building on the legacies of fellow countrymen Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabl. That same year Garcia became the youngest ever participant in making the European Ryder Cup team—an accomplishment neither Seve nor Jose Maria attained. 

In 2001, Garcia claimed two PGA Tour titles at age 21—the youngest since Tiger Woods had done so in 1996 when 20. Few players had shown such a “can’t miss” equation for total stardom and it was agreed by nearly all that major championships would be in Sergio’s immediate future.

Fast forward to 2016 and the total number of majors Garcia has won remains at zero. That’s right. Goose egg. The much believed promise has waned considerably, and for Sergio the search to validation remains an ongoing battle. During his career Garcia has demonstrated a range of emotions—sometimes petulant—sometimes withdrawn because the favored bounce and roll of the putt has gone to another player leaving Garcia always on the short side of key events. What many may not realize is that Garcia has played in 67 consecutive majors—the longest streak among active players.

Some 15 years ago, Sergio Garcia was thought to be the next great golfer to come out of Spain. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Some 15 years ago, Sergio Garcia was thought to be the next great golfer to come out of Spain. Andy Lyons/Getty Images
M. James Ward
M. James Ward
Author
Ward is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Met Golf Writers Association. He has covered over 100 major championships and 12 Ryder Cup Matches. His golf acumen extends to architecture/travel, equipment, apparel, and general interest stories as well as in-depth interviews with the leading participants and influencers in the sport.
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