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 | | | | | | Quick Facts | | | Birthdate: 9 January 1980 | | Birthplace: Castellon, Spain | | | Age: 22 Ht: 5ft 10in (178cm) Wt: 11st 4lb (72kg) | | | Home: Borriol, Spain | | | Country: Spain | | | Turned Professional: 1999 (plus 5.6) | | | |
| Ryder Cup | | | (1) 1999 | | European Tour Victories | | |
(4) 1999 Murphy's Irish Open, Linde German Masters; 2001 Trophée Lancôme; 2002 Canarias Open de España
| | PGA Tour Victories | | |
(3) 2001 MasterCard Colonial, Buick Classic; 2002 Mercedes Championships (USA)
| | Player Notes | |
With a hop, step and a gazelle-like jump, Sergio Garcia effectively propelled himself into the 1999 Ryder Cup team. It was the 70th hole of the final Major of that season, the US PGA Championship, and the teenage Spaniard played the shot of the year on his way to running Tiger Woods to within a stroke at Medinah.
The abiding memory of that Championship was of Garcia charging up the fairway, seeking confirmation that his miraculous six iron from behind a tree had, indeed, reached the green. It was undoubtedly a stroke of genius and it confirmed that 'El Nino' had become 'El Hombre'.
With his second place finish, Garcia accumulated enough points to qualify in seventh place on the Ryder Cup points table, a marvellous achievement considering he had only turned professional after capturing the trophy as leading amateur in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in April.
He had also delivered on that immense potential he had shown in the unpaid ranks by winning the Murphy's Irish Open on his sixth start in Europe - the fourth youngest player on The European Tour to land a maiden title.
So it was that Garcia, the youngest member of either side, arrived at The Country Club at Brookline with a huge reputation to live up to and an untried partner with Sweden's favourite eccentric, Jesper Parnevik.
European captain Mark James knew exactly what he was doing by bringing two diverse characters together. As a baptism of fire goes, Garcia's could scarcely have been much tougher. He and Parnevik were second out on the opening day at Brookline, facing the formidable challenge of Tiger Woods and Tom Lehman.
The young man, who had collected the Amateur Championship at Muirfield the previous year, excelled himself. His youthful exuberance dovetailed perfectly with Parnevik's steely determination and experience. Europe prevailed by 2 and 1.
That result set the tone for the day as the same partnership accounted for Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk on the final green of the afternoon fourball match and assisting Europe into a 6-2 lead.
Saturday proved almost as productive. The Swede, acting almost as a surrogate father, and the 19 year old Spaniard beat Payne Stewart and Justin Leonard 3 and 2 then Garcia rose to the occasion once more by sinking the birdie putt on the 18th which secured a half in the Saturday fourballs against Davis Love III and David Duval.
The American fightback on Sunday was impressive, and Garcia couldn't conjure up any further heroics as he went down 4 and 3 to Furyk. However he finished as one of Europe's top scorers with three and a half points out of five.
If anyone doubted Garcia's mental fortitude, they would have had such a notion dispelled the following week as he flew back to Europe and beat Ian Woosnam and Padraig Harrington in a play-off to claim the Linde German Masters.
Two victories in the United States in 2001 and one in 2002 have further underlined his status as a worthy challenger to Tiger Woods on the US PGA Tour. His infectious enthusiasm and energy will surely take The De Vere Belfry by storm.
Background
Made his big breakthrough in America in 2001, winning his first tournament on the US PGA Tour, the MasterCard Colonial and followed that with a second victory by capturing the Buick Classic a month later. Added the 2002 Mercedes Championship to his USPGA winning roster in January and finished a creditable fourth in the 2002 US Open. Turned professional on 21st April 1999 after becoming the first British Amateur Champion to finish low amateur in the 1999 Masters Tournament. Winner of 19 events as an amateur and also a professional event - the Catalonian Open - as a 17 year old amateur. Made the cut in 12 of the 18 European Tour events he entered before turning professional in April, 1999. Won the Murphy's Irish Open on his sixth start as a pro and became the fourth youngest winner on the European Tour at 19 years and 290 days. Shot a closing 64 to earn exemption on Tour then tied second the following week at the Standard Life Loch Lomond after beginning with a 62. Second behind Tiger Woods in the 1999 US PGA at Medinah when attempting to be the youngest winner of a Major for 129 years. Collected 3 ½ points out of five in a brilliant Ryder Cup debut before returning to Europe to win the Linde German Masters and help Spain capture the Alfred Dunhill Cup. Named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 1999. Engaged Fanny Sunesson as caddie for 2000 but switched to South African Glenn Murray after a short-lived liaison. Did not win in 2000 but played well enough to retain cards on both the European and US PGA Tours. Beat Tiger Woods in a made-for-television contest in August. Won the 2001 Trophée Lancôme by a stroke from US Open Champion Retief Goosen and claimed his first professional victory on home soil as he claimed his national title at the 2002 Canarias Open de España.
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| W - L - T | Points | | 3 - 2 - 0 | 3 |
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Sergio Garcia
