It took Sergio Garcia 74 major tournaments to win his first. But finally, earlier this year, that much sought after victory came at Augusta in the Masters.
It took Sergio Garcia 74 major tournaments to win his first. But finally, earlier this year, that much sought after victory came at Augusta in the Masters.
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In beating Justin Rose in a playoff, Garcia put an end to years of agony and near-misses at majors.
In beating Justin Rose in a playoff, Garcia put an end to years of agony and near-misses at majors.
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Aged just 19, making his debut at a major, Garcia finished second to Tiger Woods at the USPGA Championships. It was to be the first of four runner-up finishes for the Spaniard at the sport's four marquee tournaments.
Aged just 19, making his debut at a major, Garcia finished second to Tiger Woods at the USPGA Championships. It was to be the first of four runner-up finishes for the Spaniard at the sport's four marquee tournaments.
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A few weeks later, he went on to become the youngest player to compete in a Ryder Cup, when Europe was narrowly edged out 14.5-13.5 having lead the USA in the closing stages.
A few weeks later, he went on to become the youngest player to compete in a Ryder Cup, when Europe was narrowly edged out 14.5-13.5 having lead the USA in the closing stages.
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Garcia recorded his first of 10 PGA Tour victories in 2001, at the MasterCard Colonial (now the Dean & DeLuca Invitational) event, ahead of Brian Gay and Phil Mickleson.
Garcia recorded his first of 10 PGA Tour victories in 2001, at the MasterCard Colonial (now the Dean & DeLuca Invitational) event, ahead of Brian Gay and Phil Mickleson.
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Certainly the most agonizing defeat of his career came at The Open in 2007. Having held a commanding lead over most of the field, slip-ups in the final round forced Garcia into a playoff with Padraig Harrington -- the Irishman eventually emerging victorious.
Certainly the most agonizing defeat of his career came at The Open in 2007. Having held a commanding lead over most of the field, slip-ups in the final round forced Garcia into a playoff with Padraig Harrington -- the Irishman eventually emerging victorious.
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A familiar feeling came the following year, when Garcia again sacrificed a lead at a major -- the US PGA Championship -- to Harrington.
A familiar feeling came the following year, when Garcia again sacrificed a lead at a major -- the US PGA Championship -- to Harrington.
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But there were successes that year, too -- a play-off victory over Paul Goydos at the Players Championship...
But there were successes that year, too -- a play-off victory over Paul Goydos at the Players Championship...
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... and winning the HSBC Champions tournament helped Garcia climb to a career high of second in the world rankings.
... and winning the HSBC Champions tournament helped Garcia climb to a career high of second in the world rankings.
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Finishing two shots behind Rory McIlroy at The Open in 2014 meant more frustration at majors for Garcia.
Finishing two shots behind Rory McIlroy at The Open in 2014 meant more frustration at majors for Garcia.
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But that proved to be his most recent runner-up finish. Eighteen years of being tagged the nearly man of golf came to an end.
But that proved to be his most recent runner-up finish. Eighteen years of being tagged the nearly man of golf came to an end.
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