Anything that has to do with Sergio Garcia usually creates a healthy discussion. We saw glimpses of the “old” Sergio with his solid play in the first two rounds of last week’s Transitions Championship, but then he faltered over the weekend to finish T15. This week’s PGA Tour Confidential host, Mike Walker, posed the question, “Have we already seen the best we’re going to get from Sergio, or does he have the drive to become a top player again?” Here’s an excerpt from our lively chat:
Wei: It was nice to see Sergio back on the leaderboard, but I’m not sure if he still has the fire. What struck me after the second round was his indifference to winning. He said that winning wasn’t the focus. “I just want to keep building confidence into my head, and these rounds obviously help,” he said. “If we go out there tomorrow and shoot another [good] round, beautiful. If not, that’s fine. I’ve just got to make sure that I keep building up.”
Gorant: Odd as it seems, that may be a better mindset for him. Especially now.
Godich: Sergio will have his moments, but I’m not holding my breath about a serious comeback.
Van Sickle: Sergio didn’t seem to be full of a lot of energy talking about his “comeback” early in the week. On Sunday, he admitted to a writer that he wasn’t playing well enough to win. In other words, he’s still a work in progress, like Tiger. I get the feeling Sergio is a lot further away than Tiger is to climbing the mountain again.
Godich: It’s a process.
Morfit: I think he could win a British Open.
Lipsey: Maybe a women’s British Open, if he played the up tees.
Van Sickle: The Open is four months away. That’s a long time. But Sergio didn’t seem to have any noticeable fire in him this week. Maybe that’s the byproduct of knowing your game isn’t there yet.
Godich: Or that it’s never coming back. And if he is ever going to win a major, he’d better have lapped the field as he comes down the back nine on Sunday. Otherwise, we might see a sequel to Monty at Winged Foot in ’06.
Evans: Sergio has too much God-given ability to be done as a top player. I think that he’s on the right track by not putting any pressure on himself. This fresh outlook could lead to some good play.
Dusek: I don’t think that scar from Carnoustie may ever totally heal. Until Sergio exorcizes his putting demons, he’s going to struggle when the pressure is on. He won at TPC Sawgrass in 2008 because he switched putters, got some advice from Stan Utley and got hot for a week. But remember, even there, after Goydos put his tee shot in the playoff into the lake on 17 and Garcia stuffed his shot in close, he missed the 5-footer for birdie.
Like I said, I’d love to see Sergio contend and win a major. But I’m not sure what to expect at this point. I guess only time will tell!
We also tossed around which of the three first-time winners — DA Points, Jhonattan Vegas and Gary Woodland — has the brightest future. My vote went to Woodland. He started playing competitively much later than most guys and constantly says he’s still learning to play the game. With all his talent and athleticism, I don’t think he’s reached anything near his full potential yet. I expect much more from him.
I ran into Ryan Moore and his brother/caddie Jason this afternoon at Starbucks. Ryan said Woodland is definitely a guy to watch and was impressed with how calm he looked coming down the stretch on Sunday. I told him about Woodland’s background and lack of experience, which just further made Ryan think Woodland will be a lasting threat. Ryan said it’s almost better for guys like Gary, who are straight-up talented and don’t have demons to battle.
What impressed you guys most about Woodland’s game? Which of the first-time winners do you think have the most success for many years to come?
(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
I’m with Van Sickle and Morfit. Any lack of “fire” is likely because he’s still working his way back. I’m surprised these media folks believe that you just come back and win immediately. But I guess that makes it easier to talk about, and lord knows, your job should be easier.
Sergio took a nice break, and likely a healthy one. He won’t just show up and start winning all over the place. He’ll have some good rounds and some iffy ones until things start clicking again. That’s when “fire” and talent take over.
You’d think whoever these golf media people are, they’d realize that much more goes into winning. And “fire” is hardly all that’s needed to win tournaments. You need to be free of distractions, be comfortable with your game, play the course right, handle the pressure, have a little luck, and I don’t even know what else (I’m no pro). Winning regularly in golf is much more complex than anyone in the media ever admits. Which makes me feel like they’re all complete idiots, utterly lacking in any thoughtful commentary beyond being an echo chamber. SERGIO LACKS FIRE! HE’LL NEVER WIN AGAIN! BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH
Seriously, Godich. If Sergio thought the “fire” was never coming back ever, why would he even be out there at all? You honestly think that’s what he thinks? What’s wrong with the media? *sigh*
Gotta admit I’m stunned nobody brought up Kobe, or even a guy like Ray Lewis when talking about Tiger’s future endorsement potential. A decade ago both were way more toxic then Tiger is now.
As to the dichotomy that Evans was talking about? BS. The guy who originated the clean corporate pitchman was Michael, and if TMZ had been around when his divorce was happening, I think it might have made Tiger’s scandal look like a kiddie tale.
Oh, and as to Sergio if you come to a professional event to just plod around for 4 rounds please go home, or play a developmental tour, that’s what they’re their for. I want him to come back he’s fun to have around, but I hate that attitude.
Here is the problem, we heaped so many ackilaids on a young Sergio that he never learned how to neon top or how to get there. He has never had a stellar season or a break out year. Don’t get me wrong he may be competitive but never a force, he will be just one of the guys not the super star everyone wanted him to be.
I remember the boy who whept after not winning the junior Orange bowl in Miami. I thought to myself he was going to be huge. Then he started to believe the hype. We place too much pressure on who we think the next should be. If we had just let him grow, he may have been the next great thing. Let’s hope that our young guns learn how to win, lose and become stars. Enough of handing out titles just because they show promise. Prove it and earn it.
I enjoy you column….FTK
Well said maxfisher. maybe he is deliberately being more reserved/introverted. Doesn’t mean they lack any ‘fire’ or motivation.
i have been lucky to see pro tournaments in a few different countries (ex US) and players like Sergio, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Mickelson, Westwood, Darren Clarke (who all do travel) always attract the biggest crowds even not playing their best. They are entertaining for the people that pay for their tickets. Hopefully Sergio (and these other guys) get some wins soon.
And who is ‘Lipsey’? they made a nice mature contribution to your discussion.
I think it will probably take Sergio a bit longer than Tiger to break through again. I like ‘Evans’ take on his game that he has too much talent to be finished as a professional.
He new outlook will certainly help his game.