GOLF
Sergio comes through in clutch
Ends long drought with playoff win
FROM NEWS WIRE SERVICES
Updated: 05/12/08 6:36 AM
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- Sergio Garcia celebrates his sudden-death victory over Paul Goydos, right, on the first playoff hole.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sergio Garcia lifted his putter as if it were a scepter for everyone crowded around the 17th island hole to see and kissed the blade.
This is the image that burned the brightest with his victory sealed at The Players Championship.
For one glorious Sunday, the instrument that has caused such torment in his golf life was his ally again.
He reigned supreme over a most unruly TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course with more than phenomenal ball striking. He prevailed in tough, windy conditions with a resuscitated putting stroke that gives him hope that his first major championship victory may await.
“This feels like a major,” Garcia, 28, said after defeating Paul Goydos with a par on the first hole of their sudden-death playoff. “It tests you like a major, but unfortunately, it’s not. Maybe sometime in the future, but it definitely feels like one.”
Garcia became the first European winner of The Players Championship in 21 years with a sure pass of his sand wedge at the famed 17th island hole in the playoff. He magnificently carved a shot over all that water and through all that wind to four feet.
He did this after watching Goydos, the 43-year-old journeyman who won the affection of so many fans this week, knock a pitching wedge short and into the water.
“I don’t think necessarily hitting the ball in the water made Sergio’s shot any easier,” Goydos said. “That’s what made his shot that much more impressive.”
After a penalty drop and hitting wedge to 12 feet, and missing his bogey putt, Goydos watched helplessly.
“There’s no defense,” Goydos said. “I couldn’t tackle the little guy. He’s probably not that little. He could probably take me, but there’s no knee-capping him.”
It’s that good humor that brought Goydos such favor Sunday. There were fans in tears leaving the course after he lost. The former substitute teacher ranked 169th in the world won a legion of new followers even in defeat.
With winds gusting to 40 mph, Garcia shot a 1-under-par 71, gaining a playoff spot with a 5-under 283 total. He claimed the $1.71 million first-place prize thanks to a fabulous up-and- down on No. 18.
With that hole brutalizing much of the field, Garcia pitched to seven feet there, knowing he had to save par with his putt to put pressure on Goydos (74), who held a one-shot lead in the twosome behind him.
It was the moment of truth for Garcia and the new putting stroke he has been honing over the last three months with short-game guru Stan Utley. Garcia has agonized for three years with various putters and grips. He has gone back and forth from a belly putter to conventional putter, from a left-hand low grip to a conventional grip.
This week, he found hope with a conventional grip and a standard Scotty Cameron blade. He said he was full of confidence when he stepped over that last seven-footer in regulation.
“I actually had a little grin because I felt so calm,” Garcia said.
Goydos missed a 15-foot putt for par at the 72nd hole to join the playoff. Jeff Quinney failed to get up and down for par from the back bunker at the 18th and finished a shot out of the playoff.
Garcia won for the first time in three years, claiming his seventh PGA Tour title.
