Sergio sings 'brain dead' blues after Open flop
SOUTHPORT, England — Sergio Garcia arrived at Royal Birkdale this week as the bookies' favorite to claim his first major title. He left 0-for-lifetime on the big stage and described his final round performance as "brain dead."
The Spaniard slumped to a 78 on Sunday, during which he played a five-hole stretch in seven over par. After going out in even-par 34, Garcia made three straight bogeys, followed by consecutive double bogeys at Nos. 13 and 14. A bogey on the 18th capped a miserable back-nine 44, a miserable 8-over-par day, and another miserable disappointment in a major that he came agonizingly close to winning last year.
"Whatever chances I had today I threw them away on the back nine," he said in a brief interview after his round. "I just went brain dead, my body just didn't react to my thoughts. I couldn't think straight and didn't make any good decisions."
Garcia's round left him in a tie for 51st place, his worst performance in 13 tries at the British Open.
(Photo: Bob Martin/SI)
Posted by: CUBE | Jul 24, 2008 8:45:33 AM
SERGIO GARCIA WILL PROBABLE END HIS CAREER WITH ABOUT 3 MAJORS. WINNING THEM WILL BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN TIGER GETTING OLDER, BORED, OR HEALTH ISSUES AND YOUNGER PROS MAKING THEIR MARK. I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS THE COMBINATION OF LACK OF COURSE MATURITY AND BAD TIMING(TIGER WOODS ERA) WILL AFFECT HIM AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE ON THE PGA TOUR.
Posted by: CW | Jul 22, 2008 6:34:16 PM
Sergio will be another Colim Montgomery..........Gag!!!!
Posted by: glenn | Jul 22, 2008 5:49:50 PM
Todd, I love how you guys throw out the "overrated" tag on Sergio but probably have posters of Adam Scott on your wall. Sergio may not have won yet but he sure seems to show up on the leader board of all the big tournaments more often than not. Sergio has been a talent and a force on the Tour since he turned pro, and will UNDOUBTEDLY win multiple majors before his career is over.
Posted by: M. Taylor | Jul 21, 2008 8:23:00 PM
I do agree that Sergio is taking more responsibility since 2007 and has not blamed anyone but himself this time. I also notice that in his recent comments prior to start of play at the Open, he finally is realizing how difficult it is to win a major and has given Tiger some "back-handed" compliments. I wish him well in the future and do believe he has a good chance of winning a major or two at least.
MT
Posted by: Steve | Jul 21, 2008 5:53:05 PM
Sergio Garcia is one of the top rated golfers in the world. I think this is worth remembering. That he did not win and did not blame anyone but himself for his poor showing is just evidence that he is maturing. No, he may not be as good as Tiger now is and probably I won't live long enough to see anyone beat Tiger's record to date, but Tiger's performances are always something to behold. I think all golfers should marvel at what Tiger has accomplised thus far, but not berate or tear down the other guys who week in and week out have to compete against him.
Years ago, I thought Jack Nicklaus was a freak because of the way he systematicly beat the crap out of everyone. Then along came Trevino and Watson and Miller and they all made their mark. They weren't as good as Nicklaus, but boy were they fun to watch. Isn't that what it is all about?
All of these professional golfers are ten times better than any of us writing about them, so why all the negative BS every time Sergio, Phil, Ernie or the other top rated players fail to win? You know, it is hard to win a golf tournament, much less a major. This is the reason there are so few golfing legends. Count them on your two hands. It is not a long list.
Posted by: Sandon | Jul 21, 2008 4:32:08 PM
Again, Sergio has to find something to hang this poor performance on. Tiger has lost plenty of tournaments, but mostly from getting outplayed. Tiger NEVER has these "brain dead" moments. That is what makes him HEAD and SHOULDERS better than anyone in the game! No doubt there are many physically talented players in the game, with all the shots in the bag. But come "game time", none compare mentally to Mr Woods. That is the facts...
Congrats to Paddy on a great win!!!
Posted by: Doug | Jul 21, 2008 3:35:44 PM
Sorry Sam...meant that one for dgarts.
Posted by: Doug | Jul 21, 2008 3:34:33 PM
Gee Sam, what a lame posting and argument. So, are you saying that Tiger has never lost a tournament? Go open another Budweiser...
I think that Sergio showed maturity with his statements. It also shows how mental this game is.
Posted by: Bob | Jul 21, 2008 1:56:37 PM
Call Dr Gio 911!
Posted by: Sam | Jul 21, 2008 1:49:46 PM
And everyone who has posted here has golfed in 45 mph wind, let alone professionally. Enjoy the golf and the golfers, don't criticize them., They have achieved far more than any of you ever will on a golf course
Posted by: dgarts | Jul 21, 2008 11:40:05 AM
While I don't necessarily subscribe to the "playing the course, not the competition" orthodox view of golf, this proves that these guys (Garcia, Els, Mickelson, etc) are not contenders but pretenders. Tiger was not in the field, yet these guys couldn't take advantage of his absence and compete, let alone win. Tiger didn't beat any of them this weekend, they all just failed to rise to the challenge. None of them are in his class, and ought so show more respect to the guy who has given them all undeserved raises.
Posted by: dan | Jul 21, 2008 10:54:14 AM
"Garcia's round left him in a tie for 51st place, his worst performance in 13 tries at the British Open."
Who does your research? He has only played in the Open 12 times and he missed the cut 3 of those times which would clearly be his worst performance. Actually, his worst performance has to be in '99 at Carnoustie when he shot 89-83, missed the cut, and left the course crying in his mommy's arms.
Posted by: john wong | Jul 21, 2008 12:24:27 AM
The ancient chinese philosopher said that anxiety will kill one'ambition,calmness in inner mind will take you long long way.Gacia does not seem to have both, so he cannot win any major.Body is controlled by brain, he might be scrating the rigt spot now by saying thing like deadbrain.
Posted by: john wong | Jul 21, 2008 12:14:11 AM
The ancient chinese philosopher said that anxiety will kill one'ambition,calmness in inner mind will take you long long way.Gacia does not seem to have both, so he cannot win any major.Body is controlled by brain, he might be scrating the rigt spot now by saying thing like deadbrain.
Posted by: Cat person | Jul 20, 2008 8:45:42 PM
Good thing Tiger was not in the field. He would have blamed Tiger for his poor play and complained about unfavourable tee time.
Posted by: Roar Kvamme | Jul 20, 2008 5:59:32 PM
Sergio will mature into winning many Majors, Greg and Padraig showed how much it takes to carry 20 hours of wind and total focus! 3 over par must be one of the bst scores ever! fantastico! Sergio..I belive in you in 3-5 years..Keep maturing!
Posted by: Todd | Jul 20, 2008 5:43:09 PM
Garcia has been over-rated and over-hyped for years!! A good ball striker but not mentally tough enough to win the big ones. The TPC was a good start.
Posted by: Tony | Jul 20, 2008 2:18:30 PM
Well at least for a change he finally accepted accountability and blamed no one but himself for his poor play....that at least is an improvement in his maturity....