Sergio Garcia now has more top-10 finishes in majors than anyone else on the PGA Tour, but it took 74 starts before he finally broke through with a win.
It came at Augusta National in the Masters on Sunday, the very location Garcia first made his debut as a young amateur in 1999. He had three top-10s along the way, but it all came together in a magical way on Sunday with a birdie-eagle run on the second nine and clutch shots from the 18th fairway on the 72nd and 73rd holes of the tournament.
After Sergio’s playoff win was clinched over Justin Rose, the runner-up told CBS that if there was anyone to lose to, it was good to lose to Garcia in his first major win. Not knowing how Rose felt, Garcia shared a similar sentiment. “We wanted to beat the other guy not [have] that guy to lose it,” the champion said.
Rose wasn’t alone in that statement as tweets from players on the PGA Tour -- including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, a former Ryder Cup foe and teammate -- started pouring in to offer congratulations on the Masters win.
Congrats @TheSergioGarcia. Well earned.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 9, 2017
@TheSergioGarcia felicitaciones campeon!!
— Angel Cabrera (@cabrera_pato) April 9, 2017
What a @TheMasters. Sad to see Justin miss out, but for @sergio to win a Major on #Seve's birthday & finally become the Major champion he is
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 9, 2017
Congrats @TheSergioGarcia!! Well deserved and great playing...soak it in my man!!
— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) April 9, 2017
He did it! So happy for Sergio. Masters Champion #Vamos
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) April 9, 2017
2 unbelievable players and 2 great friends, but I couldn't be happier for @TheSergioGarcia. You deserve it all amigo!!
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) April 9, 2017
So happy for @TheSergioGarcia! He's been so close for so long. You know Seve is going crazy heaven! #welldonebuddy @TheAngelaAkins
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) April 9, 2017
Congrats @TheSergioGarcia !
— Bernd Wiesberger (@BWiesberger) April 9, 2017
Finally Nr 1!🏆
Just brilliant @TheSergioGarcia Feel for @JustinRose99 but both guys were just amazing. @TheMasters
— Darren Clarke (@DarrenClarke60) April 9, 2017
Congrats to Sergio!! So happy for him. So deserving for an amazing career he's had.. Forever a major champion!
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) April 9, 2017
That was some incredible golf by Sergio. I thought he was out of it on 13 but he never gave up. Persevered through some real adversity
— Hunter Mahan (@HunterMahan) April 9, 2017
El Niño, well done my friend what a tournament you played @TheSergioGarcia 👍🏻 vamos 🇪🇸 also great going by @JustinRose99 #TheMasters2017
— Martin Kaymer (@MKaymer59) April 9, 2017
Always a deserving champion at @TheMasters and this year is no exception. Huge congrats Sergio. Awesome to see him get the major he deserves
— Webb Simpson (@webbsimpson1) April 10, 2017