It took 19 years and 74 majors for Sergio Garcia to win his first Major – The Masters.
He had his typical hiccups which on any other major weekend would have sealed his fate of another missed opportunity. Not so this time around. With a new found calm, With a penalty stroke par on 13 and a great eagle on 15, there was a bit of bounce in his step. Two short putts that didn’t go in on 16 and 18 were signs of some nerves but he did what he had to in order to tie Justin Rose for the lead after 72 holes.
Rose opened the door for Garcia with a wayward tee shot requiring him to punch out into the fairway and be a stroke behind Garcia going up the 18th fairway. Garcia finished off the win on the first playoff hole with a curl in birdie.
Kudo’s to Chairman Billy Payne of the Augusta Golf Club, His presentation early Thursday morning as a tribute to Arnold Palmer was very eloquent and touching. Draping one of Arnie’s green jackets over a chair and having Arnie’s wife present, his speak created a lot of wet eyes. It was a very emotional presentation.