Sergio García Breaks the Curse and Wins the Masters
Spanish golfer Sergio García broke the curse that had haunted him in major tournaments and completed a magical week by winning the Masters at Augusta, after defeating Englishman Justin Rose in a playoff.
After 18 years since his first big opportunity, the 37-year-old golfer completed the four rounds with 279 strokes, the same as Rose, but he played with firmness and determination in the playoff to win the iconic green jacket and celebrate the first major tournament of his career.
A poor start by Rose in the playoff and a missed putt gave García two chances to win the coveted title. With nerves of steel, the Spaniard succeeded on the first opportunity and claimed the title.
In this way, the 'Niño' became the third Spanish golfer to win a major, after Severiano Ballesteros and José María Olazábal.
For the decisive round today, García started as the leader alongside Rose, but a long list of pursuers could chase them. Rickie Fowler teed off in third place, just one shot behind, while Americans Jordan Spieth, champion two seasons ago, Ryan Moore, and Charley Hoffmann were two shots back.
With a fantastic start, the Spanish golfer took a two-shot lead over his rivals with two birdies and a par in the first three holes, a difference that allowed him to play the following holes with serenity.
However, three consecutive birdies by Rose on the sixth, seventh, and eighth holes brought everything back to square one in the final round of the course. By that point, the consistency of both players made them the only candidates for victory.
The psychological aspect of being tied by Rose seemed to affect García, who had two consecutive bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes, falling two shots behind.
However, from the 13th hole onwards, the Spaniard regained his form and, with an eagle on the 15th, managed to level the score. Although, a new birdie by Rose on the next hole gave the Englishman an advantage for the last two holes.
On the 17th, a bogey by Rose leveled everything for the final hole, where García had a putt just over a meter to win the title, but he missed it.
That's how they went to the playoff, where Rose played the worst golf of the week and García took advantage to win his first major tournament, 18 years after his first opportunity when he finished second in the PGA Championship in 1999.