Sergio Garcia: mixed emotions

Following Sergio Garcia on the front nine of the opening round, Alex Narey questions the hopes of the young Spaniard at this year's US Masters

There never seems to be any middle ground where Sergio Garcia is concerned. Granted, I have only just watched him play nine holes on the opening day of the US Masters, but getting a read on his body language is almost as tough as reading the deep contours of Augusta National’s famous greens.

After completing the front half, the Spaniard had just sunk a ten-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole to go back to even. It was a rare highlight on the greens, where he seemed to take an age, using the belly putter (Taylor Made Itsy Bitsy Monza).

From the tee, his ball striking was magnificent. Playing with Oliver Wilson and Stuart Appleby, he consistently found himself in good positions only to lack conviction on the greens.

But you still get the odd smile. He is both jovial and accommodating: there was the joking with the crowd on the 2nd green, followed by a nice touch on the 4th tee when he chucked a couple of balls at some kids who waited.

Then come the irritations, like on the ninth fairway when he chatted loudly to someone in the crowd without realising Appleby was making his approach (which he sliced on the way to his third bogey in four holes). Purely accidental, and I’m sure it had no effect on the end result, but still…

With plenty of play left, this is not to detract anything from Garcia’s chances. Nobody wants to see him win more than me (why do you think I was following him). Rather just an early indication of where his form may take him if everything fails to click into gear…

From Augusta

More US Masters on Golf Monthly

Latest US Masters News Augusta Masters Blog US Masters Pictures Augusta Hole by Hole US Masters History & Records

 

Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.