The field in Hawaii was limited to 2010 PGA Tour winners, so Señor Garcia didn't qualify, however the spirited Spaniard did qualify for a different sort of tournament... a poker tournament.
The popular professional golfer... still affectionately referred to as El Niño... got ready to celebrate his 31st birthday yesterday at the Atlantis Resort and Casino on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, by playing Texas Hold'em at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure .
Garcia, who in 2008 was ranked second in the world, has had some well-documented... um... issues with golf of late, culminating in a two month hiatus from the sport last fall.
Well, it seems he may have spent some of his self-imposed sabbatical honing his poker skills, because at Atlantis, he was one of 28 players who won their way into day 1A of the Main Event.
"It is good fun and it is all a learning process for me" Sergio explained to CardPlayer 's Ryan Lucchesi when he was eliminated at the end of level 4. And he made it quite clear that this foray into the world of high stakes poker did not signal career change when he added, "I know what I do for a living and that is playing golf. I don’t forget that."
Photo via CardPlayer.com
Video via PokerNews.com
Poker is getting amazingly popular, playing competitively is probably a great way for an athlete to get more visibility and increase his fan base.
ReplyDeleteIt was clear when Sergio came back from his hiatus last month that wasn't back in love with golf and he didn't sound all that enthusiastic when he talked about "playing golf for a living". He's made tons of money already, he should do what he wants to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing Poker is much more dependent on luck than golf is and Sergio's always whining about his lack of luck on the golf course. I think he better start practicing his putting.
ReplyDeleteSergio's just as cute at the poker table as he is on the golf course. You probably don't share this opinion Steve, but I think he's even cute when he whines. ;)
ReplyDeleteSergio should probably watch out if he plays with Daniel Negreanu.
ReplyDeleteyour posts are becoming extremely lame gg. who cares what el crybaby is doing now
ReplyDeleteMaybe you don't like Sergio García Anon but he's still got a huge fan base and at 31 he's got time to win that 1st major.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you don't like Sergio García Anon but he's still got a huge fan base and at 31 he's got time to win that 1st major.
ReplyDeleteHe should do what makes him happy, life is too short...my 39 year old friend just got diagnosed with cancer...Sergio live, love and laugh buddy!
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