Seven Players To Light Up The Masters: Sergio Garcia

This is the forth in a series of seven players that could dominate the Masters this week at Augusta, and my next player is one of the most feared on the tour, even if he has never picked up a Major victory.

I am of course talking about Sergio Garcia, a player some say to be the best player on the tour without a Major title to his name.

Garcia came closest to breaking that duck in 2007 when he led the Open Championship for so long, and even had a put to win the title, before being beaten in a two-way play-off with Padraig Harrington.

That frustrating finish for Garcia did nothing for halt his confidence as a joint second finish again behind Harrington showed that he could still perform despite his inability to secure major titles.

However his record in those events are truly brilliant, especially for a man with limited success.

In forty starts in majors in his career, he’s achieved 14 top 10 finishes.

Now maybe that isn’t as good as some of the world’s best, but for a player who endures constant disappointment in these competitions it’s an excellent return.

Garcia has been part of the World’s top ten for almost nine straight years, and is constantly one of the star attractions on the European Tour.

He is an ever present in Europe’s Ryder Cup side having been selected for the last five tournaments, being included in all three of their recent victories

Garcia’s immense drive makes him feared opponent all over the world, so at Augusta this week it will be no different.,

He’s proved at major’s before he can mix it with the world’s top players, and even if his nerves do sometimes get the better of him you know sooner or later he will fulfil his potential, like Harrington did in 2007 and ever since.

Is he a serious contender this week?

Well his record would suggest it’s the major the Spaniard prefers the least, with a best finish of joint forth achieved in 2004.

But maybe the European being slightly off the radar might be a good thing, with most of the attention elsewhere Garcia might be able to make his strongest challenge yet, and win his first Major title.



Others pieces in this series are:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/149636-seven-players-to-light-up-the-masters-phil-mickelson

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/150374-seven-players-to-light-up-the-masters-ian-poulter

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/150811-seven-players-to-light-up-the-masters-vijay-singh