Sergio Garcia’s Masters win should inspire Lee Westwood and co
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His record in the big four tournaments read 0-73 before last weekend, but now Sergio Garcia can call himself a Majors champion.
And his success should give every bit of inspiration to those also still looking to end their drought.
Amazingly, Garcia made his Majors bow over 20 years ago at the 1995 Open Championship.
And since then, El Nino has been a constant figure on Major Sundays, landing no fewer than 22 top-10s.
That’s included some near-misses which could have derailed a lesser man’s career.
There was the epic battle with Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, and the agonising play-off defeat to Padraig Harrington at the 2007 Open.
Who would have thought back then that Garcia would have to wait almost 10 years to finally land a big one?
The 37-year-old again lost out to Harrington at the 2008 PGA, when the pair both sat at two under through 16 on the final day.
But it was the Irishman who held his nerve to birdie 17 and win his second Major, while Sergio slipped up on 18.
With four second places and two third place finishes, It seemed Garcia was destined to be ever the bridesmaid.
But not anymore, and now the likes of Lee Westwood could follow suit.
Like Garcia, Westy also made his debut at that 1995 Open at St Andrews’ and has since posted 18 top-10 Major finishes.
That’s included three second places and six thirds.
So perhaps Garcia’s success could be the inspiration he needs to finally get over that line and become a Major winner too.
It’s 66/1 that Westwood breaks his duck at this year’s Open, while Garcia is now just 20/1, in from 35s.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
