Garcia eyes Open after breaking major duck

Sergio Garcia has his sights firmly set on July's British Open after finally securing the maiden major that had eluded him for almost 20 years at Augusta.

After burying the majors demon that had haunted his golfing career for nearly 20 years at the US Masters, Sergio Garcia is now setting his sights on the British Open at Southport in July.

After four runner-up finishes at majors, the Spaniard ended close to two decades of heartbreak on Sunday at Augusta, beating England's Justin Rose in a play-off.

"It's better late than never," Garcia joked in an interview with Radio Marca. "I have to continue on the same path. I hope this is not the last."

"The Masters is like the Champions League, but the British Open is like the Champions' Champions League."

Garcia played in 74 majors before finally winning one.

His triumph finally came after a 12-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole on Augusta's par-four 18th.

"I hit it where I wanted to," he said. "I didn't ask my caddie's opinion because the putt fell towards the left.

"In the five previous holes I had struck the ball very well. I knew there was the possibility of making a birdie in the play-off."

Garcia's victory came on what would have been the 60th birthday of his late hero Seve Ballesteros, who died of brain cancer in 2011. Another idol, Jose Maria Olazabal, also won at Augusta.

"I dedicated the victory to Severiano," Garcia said. "I was able to win in the same place that my two idols had done."

"Olazabal sent me a very nice message in which he told me that he loved me and that I should have a lot of confidence in myself."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world