Garcia goes amiss in Masters horror show
A year ago, he was on top of the world, donning the Green Jacket after his first Major win. This year, the wheels came off at Augusta.
Sport is a great leveller. Just ask experienced Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia.
A year ago tomorrow, Garcia won his first Major – the US Masters title after defeating close friend Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta National.
Having come so close to winning a Major on so many occasions before, Garcia finally joined an elite band of golfers to win one of golf’s “big four” and don the green jacket.
Fast-forward to his title defence this year and he couldn’t have done much worse. On Thursday, in his opening round, the 38-year-old carded a woeful nineover-par 81 – the worst round for a Masters defending champion.
The wheels came off on the par-five 15th, where he dunked five balls into the pond guarding the green and walked away with an eight-over par 13, leaving his title defence in tatters.
It was the highest score recorded on the hole in Masters history.
A year ago on the 15th , he parred it in the first round, birdied the hole twice and eagled it on the final day.
At least Garcia was upbeat after the horror show.
“It’s the first time in my career where I make a 13 without missing a shot,” he said. “I kept hitting good
shots … the ball just wouldn’t stop.”
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