Masterclass: Sergio Garcia leads at Augusta and admits he doesn't like the course he tamed
Spaniard's 66 has fans wondering if he'll finally win his first Major this week PLUS McIlroy's regrets and the 14-year-old who outscored champ Watson
Power Serg: Five-birdie Garcia matched his best ever Masters round
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Twelve months after claiming he could never win a Major, Sergio Garcia played like a champion to share the first-round lead at the Masters.But the Spaniard admitted he is still not a fan of the Augusta National course.Garcia, who missed a putt to win the Open in 2007, said last year he was “not good enough” after limping to a third round 75. Seasons of near misses and frustration seemed to have finally taken their toll.Always a gorgeous ball-striker, he had long struggled on the greens. But his heroics for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Medinah showed he is still a special talent.And on Thursday, in his 58th Major, the 32-year-old blazed his way through the field with five brilliant birdies in his first 10 holes before equalling his best ever round here with a bogey-free 66.He joined Aussie Marc Leishman on six-under, a shot ahead of Dustin Johnson. Rory McIlroy finished six shots back on level par 72 after making four bogeys on the back nine. Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old from China, was only a shot further back.Click here for the full leaderboard.
Garcia, himself a former world No.2, took a two-month break from competitive golf in August 2010 after admitting he had fallen out of love with golf following his break-up with Greg Norman’s daughter.But after carding his first bogey-free round at Augusta since 2002, he also claimed his damning self-criticism last year was also an emotional over-reaction.
“We all know it was one of those days when I was a bit frustrated,” he said. “I did shoot myself out of that tournament then. It came out a bit wrong the way I said it.
“But every week I tee it up and try and play my best golf and try to give myself the chance to win. Hopefully I can do that here. Hopefully I can go out tomorrow and play like I did in the first 10 holes. The first 10 holes were amazing – I hit so many good shots. If I can do that, I will have a chance on the weekend.”But Garcia, who finished tied fourth here in 2004, added: “This is not my favourite place but I will try to enjoy it the best I can.”McIlroy, who three-putted the 17th, said: “I have some things to work on but I felt I hit the ball well and gave myself plenty of opportunities.“If I can get off to a good start on Friday and get some birdies, I could find myself not too far from the lead.”
Spaniard's 66 has fans wondering if he'll finally win his first Major this week PLUS McIlroy's regrets and the 14-year-old who outscored champ Watson
Power Serg: Five-birdie Garcia matched his best ever Masters round
Getty
Twelve months after claiming he could never win a Major, Sergio Garcia played like a champion to share the first-round lead at the Masters.But the Spaniard admitted he is still not a fan of the Augusta National course.Garcia, who missed a putt to win the Open in 2007, said last year he was “not good enough” after limping to a third round 75. Seasons of near misses and frustration seemed to have finally taken their toll.Always a gorgeous ball-striker, he had long struggled on the greens. But his heroics for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Medinah showed he is still a special talent.And on Thursday, in his 58th Major, the 32-year-old blazed his way through the field with five brilliant birdies in his first 10 holes before equalling his best ever round here with a bogey-free 66.He joined Aussie Marc Leishman on six-under, a shot ahead of Dustin Johnson. Rory McIlroy finished six shots back on level par 72 after making four bogeys on the back nine. Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old from China, was only a shot further back.Click here for the full leaderboard.
Garcia, himself a former world No.2, took a two-month break from competitive golf in August 2010 after admitting he had fallen out of love with golf following his break-up with Greg Norman’s daughter.But after carding his first bogey-free round at Augusta since 2002, he also claimed his damning self-criticism last year was also an emotional over-reaction.
“We all know it was one of those days when I was a bit frustrated,” he said. “I did shoot myself out of that tournament then. It came out a bit wrong the way I said it.
“But every week I tee it up and try and play my best golf and try to give myself the chance to win. Hopefully I can do that here. Hopefully I can go out tomorrow and play like I did in the first 10 holes. The first 10 holes were amazing – I hit so many good shots. If I can do that, I will have a chance on the weekend.”But Garcia, who finished tied fourth here in 2004, added: “This is not my favourite place but I will try to enjoy it the best I can.”McIlroy, who three-putted the 17th, said: “I have some things to work on but I felt I hit the ball well and gave myself plenty of opportunities.“If I can get off to a good start on Friday and get some birdies, I could find myself not too far from the lead.”