8th Apr 2013 | The Masters
US Masters Tips: Sergio Garcia
Finished in the top-20 in seven of his last eight tournaments. His putting has improved and T12 here last year.
Sergio Garcia can be one of the most frustrating golfers to back, but he’s regained the sort of form that should make him a regular contender in Majors.
The Spaniard’s problems on the greens have been well documented, but in the last 18 months he’s found a technique that seems to work. Garica is currently ranked 30th for strokes gained putting on the PGA Tour and that could be the key on Augusta’s notoriously difficult greens.
Sergio Garcia Strokes Gained Putting Rank. (US Masters finishing position)
2013: 30
2012: 27 (T12)
2011: 144 (T35)
2010: 159 (T45)
2009: 119 (T38)
2008: 121 (MC)
2007: 44 (MC)
2006: 132 (46)
2005: 164 (MC)
2004: 187 (T4)
Garcia’s ball-striking has never been in question, but the improvement in his putting has been noticeable. Last year he enjoyed his best season on the greens and that helped him to his highest finish at Augusta since 2004.
The 33-year-old arrives in Georgia in terrific form. He recorded his first victory in the US for four years in last season’s Wyndham Championship and in his last eight tournaments he’s finished: T9-T2-T17-T13-T17-T3-T7-W/D.
The only blot was his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer when he injured himself playing his ball out of a tree!
This could be the year Garcia lands that illusive Major and at 45/1 (William Hill) he looks a lively each-way chance with ¼ odds for a top-5 finish.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 16:12 8th Apr, 2013 but subject to change
