"You know what's the saddest thing about it? It's not the first time. It's not the first time, unfortunately. So, I don't know, I'm playing against a lot of guys out there, more than the field." That's what Sergio said after his Carnoustie crash and burn today.
Though not quite Van de Veldian, it was pretty stunning how, in the end, he gave up his hard won lead and let the British Open slip from his grasp. This final round demise was predicted by...well...almost everyone. And I've got to say, it did seem like he was battling more than Padraig, Ernie, Tiger and the other guys on the windswept Scottish greens. The collective disdain of golf fans and journalists was also out there, and it was pretty palpable from the beginning. The thing is, Mr. Garcia, at 27, is seen by many as a spoiled, immature, whining, Mama's boy. From his fussy pre-shot routine to his monochromatic fashion foibles, from last Spring's spit-gate to his recent move to the inelegant belly putter. There are just so many things to dislike about El Nino. I'm pretty sure this sentiment is what Sergio was referring to, at least in part, when he made that statement about "more than the field".
I'm also pretty sure that Sergio will win a major. Eventually. But first he'll have to make a few changes to his character, and style. He'll have to mature and mellow, stop blaming and start acknowledging. Be a bit...humble. That's when golf fans and journalists will begin to pull for him, that's when he'll only have the field against him and with his extraordinary talent, that's when he'll finally win.
Interesting last paragraph from a Wie Warrior.
ReplyDeletevery astute comments from golf's goddess. your golf game may need some work but your golf mind is very agile.
ReplyDeletei agree, sergio has never grown up and his news conference demonstrated once again that he is just not mature enough to take responsibility for his play - now it seems to be the crowd/media/viewers fault and not his own mental shortcomings.
it is quite simple - he is not yet mentally ready to handle the challenge of the final day at a major - majors are won by hombre's, not nino's.
also i didn't understand the 2 iron off 18 leaving over 250 to the pin for par. in that case, esp since he is a very good driver, i think the big club was the better play which would have left a more manageable 190 to 200 in to the green. he needed par and didn't have the confidence to go for it - he is just not tough enough yet to win when so much is on the line.
You will never hear these kind of comments from an American about Tiger Woods when he refuses an interview, curses on tv or throws a club to the ground in anger.
ReplyDeleteIt was the Frenchman...now it will be Garcia. Especially now that a golfer from Europe has won a major, it is getting harder and harder to boost up that sagging American golf bustline.
Leave it to TheGolfGirl to say it best. Sergio really beat himself. He has the complete package..the game and he dedication....OK, maybe he needs someone like TheGolfGirl to lay out what he needs to wear each round...personally I am a little tired of the Oscar Myer look one day and then the see through white slack he seems to wear at each event. But, HEY, that is just was what he wears on the outside...it is what he is wearing in his head that I think keeps him from closing the deal.
ReplyDeleteSergio should have looked at your website sunday morning and viewed the NH weekend pics and we would have felt a whole lot better going into Sunday ;)!
ReplyDeleteExactly. Time for Sergio to grow up if he wants to be respected as a golfer.
ReplyDeleteThe spitting incident last year was what proved to me Sergio lacks the class to be a true Champion.
And I don't think he'll ever win a major. That missed putt on 18 is going to haunt him for a long, long time.
I was delighted that PH won. We have the same initials and my mom's maiden name was Harrington. So I guess we have a common ancestor...not too far back. Where's my golf gene hiding, I wonder? d;O)
ReplyDeleteYeh, great win for Harrington, though as you see it caused my dinner to spoil!
ReplyDeletehttp://rather-be-golfing.blogspot.com/2007/07/harrington-wins-chicken-over-cooked.html
Big deal for Sergio like you say, though he held up longer than usual (and maybe that makes it worse). Will he get over it? Could take a while