Sergio – Niño or Hombre?

After having broken onto the world golfing scene in 1999 even somebody with limited golfing knowledge would be hard-pressed to identify that same exuberance eleven years later. I was hoping that Spain’s World Cup victory might have spurred him on to greater efforts (indeed special dispensation was given so that he could wear a Spanish replica top during a practice round and even added a ‘winner’s star’ to his polo shirt) but, alas, it wasn’t to be. Instead he increasingly resembles a sad and forlon figure completely at odds with his huge talent minus a putting stroke. What a pity as from tee to green he is still one of the best ball strikers in the world. This is an important year as, having turned thirty, he is no longer ‘El Niño’ that thrilled us with his hop, skip and jumps at the PGA. Nor is he ‘top dog’ in Spain either, having been overtaken in the world rankings by Guadiaro’s Alvaro Quiros. But I believe this malaise runs deeper than just a dodgy putting stroke which, along from Lee Westwood, he vies with as the ‘best player never to have won a Major’ tag.
Following his career very closely one can identify many faux pas; acts of petulance which, if this had been your normal golfer in the Weekly Medal, would have seen him being brought up before the committee. These include perceived slights to playing partners in Pro-Ams; giving incorrect yardages; spitting in the cup; club throwing; complaints about fans; endless club waggling, bilingual swearing etc. This hasn’t endeared him to golf fans in America either where he has made his home on the US Tour now rarely visiting Europe due to tax breaks. Whilst on the subject of Switzerland don’t even get me started on one of his ex girlfriends; tetchy tennis player Martina Hingis.
This is what he has said on record about Augusta National,” I don’t like it…I don’t think it’s fair. You get mud balls in the middle of the fairways.” Remember Sergio mud sticks and complaints about Augusta are very few and far between. This is a Ryder Cup year, the one event where we normally witness a different Garcia when the shackles of normal strokeplay seem to be released. ”Cometh the hour cometh the man”?

Tags: Sergio Garcia