19 days until golf: Garcia finally breaks through at 2017 Masters
The PGA Tour plans to restart its season June 11 after halting due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each day until then, we'll highlight key moments, people, or facts relating to where we are in the countdown.
After a 19-year-old Sergio Garcia gave Tiger Woods everything he could handle at the 1999 PGA Championship, many pegged the Spaniard as a player who would go on to win multiple major championships.
That turned out to be far from the case, even though Garcia's contended in a number of majors since.
However, Garcia finally broke through with his first major title at the 2017 Masters in his 19th appearance at Augusta National - the most attempts ever by a first-time green-jacket winner.
Garcia entered the final round tied with Justin Rose and the two jockeyed for position atop the leaderboard all day. After Garcia found himself facing a two-stroke deficit, he erased it with this superb eagle on No. 15.
Day 28 Without Sport:
— Spencer Berk (@SpenceBerk) April 10, 2020
2017-Augusta National
Final Round- Hole 15#MastersRewind
Sergio is one of the best ball strikers of all time but it appeared he was never gunna be able to close in a major. Well Serg flipped the script in 17', due in large part to this famous eagle on #15. pic.twitter.com/gwXF3eMiIA
Garcia and Rose needed a playoff to determine the winner, with the former draining a birdie putt on the first extra hole.
Just one day until Masters Week begins.
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2019
In 2017, Faldo and Nantz establish @TheSergioGarcia's place in history as the latest Spaniard to capture a Masters victory. pic.twitter.com/eYhdKNxfB1
Here are two facts that help put Garcia's triumph in perspective.
Sergio Garcia: 74 starts in majors before 1st win, most of any player in professional golf history
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2017
Masters winners by attempt number ...
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) February 26, 2020
1: 3 (Recent: Fuzzy)
2: 5 (Spieth)
3: 7 (ZJ)
4: 9 (Reed)
5: 4 (Jack)
6: 5 (Imm.)
7: 3 (Vijay)
8: 2 (JMO)
9: 2 (Fred)
10: 4 (Angel)
11: 1 (Aaron)
12: 3 (Scott)
13: 1 (Crenshaw)
14: 1 (Casper)
15: 1 (O'Meara)
16: 0
17: 0
18: 0
19: 1 (Sergio)