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Iain Carter Column

PGA Tour

by Iain Carter (U7103772) 12 May 2008

It is hard to imagine a more pressure packed seven-foot putt than the one Garcia holed to effectively claim a place in the Players' Championship play-off.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/gol...

It is overstretching it to say his career was on the line, but it wasn't far removed. Imagine what we would have said if he missed the putt? Would he have had faith in himself to make such a crucial putt the next time?

Inevitably there would be 'next times' because his long game is so good and Garcia will always have chances of contending. But you have to finish off the job and that has been the Spaniard’s big problem.

"There have been times when you doubt yourself," Garcia admitted. "You don't know if you’re working on the right things."

But the man who Garcia ultimately credited for getting the ball rolling back towards the cup was sitting at home in England watching and knowing his man was up for the job when it counted.

Garcia uses his two caddies. Glenn Murray was on the bag at Sawgrass while Billy Foster took the week off. But it was Fostter who made the timely intervention that put Garcia’s putting back on the right line.

"I asked about the way he used to feel when he was putting well," Foster, who had caddied for Darren Clarke for 11 years, told me.

"I'd seen what (short game guru) Stan Utley had done for Darren's putting and I knew he was the right man for Sergio – so I suggested he talked to him."

The credit has to go to Garcia for taking the step although the player is quick to thank his bag-man.

"I'm just happy I have the chance to get Billy to caddie for me," added the Spaniard.

"When we started the partnership (at the beginning of this year) he told me I should see Stan because it would help me. He was right."

After the third round in which Garcia horribly three-putted the 17th, he had to endure an insensitive grilling from reported Jimmy Roberts live on American television.

Question after question centred on his putting woes. Yes, the issue had to be raised, but once Roberts got his answer he should have moved on rather than labour the point.

But this is what Garcia has been living with during his three-year barren period, especially in the wake of failing to win The Open after leading for the first three days at Carnoustie.

Garcia admitted press criticism had been a great motivating factor.

"The only thing I can do is try to keep getting better in order to make your job of criticising me harder," he smiled.

Foster who will be back on the Spaniard’s bag for the Memorial Tournament and the US Open believes this victory will be huge springboard.

"It'll be massive," he said.

"Sawgrass is the ultimate pressure cooker, especially on the final holes. No disrespect to the majors but there's nothing quite like that course. Sergio coped with it tremendously well.

"He's the second best player in the world in my eyes."

Garcia has been waiting and waiting for the lift-off moment. Many, including the player himself, have wondered whether it would ever come, whether his nerve would hold.

He thanked Tiger Woods for not turning up for this tournament in his victory speech.

Everybody else had forgotten about the world number one.

Garcia can now drink from a well of self-belief. His thirst for success has yet to be quenched and wouldn't it be great if he could go head-to-head with Woods when the top man returns?

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 12, 2008

Iain,

Sounds like you read my comments on Jimmy Roberts from goldwolf's thread . . . .

Very appropriate that Roberts was nowhere to be seen when Segio finished his final round; he's nothing but a gratuitously sanctimonious punk in journalist's clothing.

Enough to give the media a bad name. Don't you agree???!!!

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comment by Redrage19 (U1710671)

posted May 12, 2008

Even though Sergio has been puttig much better this last few weeks - he is still very tentative with them. Woods guns them in from 4 foot, Sergios wouldn't get by the hole if they didn't drop in. He still has a lot of work to do but he has the monkey off his back now and has a great opportunity to really kick on from here and realise his full potential.

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comment by johnandgen (U11263398)

posted May 12, 2008

The way Sergio kissed his putter after winning the play off on the notorious 17th spoke volumes.
First Padraig, now Sergio, who next for a Big one I wonder? Will Darren ever be in contention again? I somehow doubt it.

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 13, 2008

Iain,

I think it would be interesting to know what you think of the US press coverage of Sergio over the years.

Even allowing that the unctuous smarminess of Jimmy Roberts may be an exception, I have always felt that Sergio doesn't get a fair deal in the States, probably influenced by the fact that many Tour pros (US Ryder Cup team members especially) don't care for him.

1).I am interested in the reports that even PGA Tour officials found Roberts' "insensitive" grilling on Saturday ott.

2).But even Doug Ferguson, who I usually find extremely fair as well as being incredibly informative, couldn't resist some snarkiness at Sergio's expense in his TPC retrospective in this morning's papers.

What's going on here?

Sergio seems to present himself for all interviewers, regardless of their prejudice against him, which is far more than the famously selective Eldrick Woods does for instance.

Isn't it just about time that Sergio was given credit and respect????

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comment by societychamp (U1982220)

posted May 13, 2008

It is typical of the press, esp. stateside. Kwini have you forgotten the grilling and analysis that TW got during his swing changes, Sergio situation is not even close. Tiger's swing was being analysed by the avg. club player to the commentators who couldn't break 90 on those courses. The best way is to play, win, get good results ETC. I also think Tiger has to be more selective with his interviews as the demands on him are invariably more than any other player on tour.

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comment by Pav me the ball ! (U10756321)

posted May 13, 2008

Ian... Who are you keep coming on here writing the obvious. please go away

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 13, 2008

societychamp:

Agree Tiger got a going over - and now he refuses to be interviewed by the likes of Peter Kostis, perhaps even Faldo still.

I just feel the Sergio stuff is more personal, especially from NBC and some US print journalists.

All things considered, Tiger seems to get a free ride by comparison, especially as he doesn't really saying anything unscripted.

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comment by societychamp (U1982220)

posted May 14, 2008

True Kwini,
I think that's the way to treat the press though. U can't allow them too much insight into your life if you want to remain focused on your real goals. Rightly or wrongly, it has worked a treat for Tiger and I would do the same in his position. Sergio wore his emotions on his sleeves the moment he came on tour, and can also be immature with comments and behaviour sometimes, e.g spitting in Cup, press conf after 07 Open Champ, and the US press don't like his bravado at Ryder cup press conf. not that I care for them much. Moral, you let them in too much, you'll eventually get burned

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