Challenges Faced by Sergio García: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Sergio García. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Sergio García Fernández is a Spanish professional golfer who turned professional in 1999. He has played on the European Tour and PGA Tour and joined LIV Golf in 2022. Throughout his career, García has achieved 36 international tournament wins, with his most prominent victories being the 2008 Players Championship and the 2017 Masters Tournament, a major championship. Beyond golf, García served as the Chairman of the Spanish football team CF Borriol.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2002: "Waggle" Habit

In 2002, particularly at the U.S. Open, Sergio García's "waggle" habit of repeatedly regripping the club handle created a stir, leading to spectator comments. He has since eliminated the habit.

2007: Open Championship

At the 2007 Open Championship, Sergio García narrowly missed winning his first professional major championship, finishing two strokes behind Pádraig Harrington at the 2008 PGA Championship

2007: Open Championship News Conference

In 2007, after the Open Championship, Sergio García suggested bad breaks had cost him the title. He was also disqualified from the PGA Championship for signing an incorrect scorecard after the third round.

2008: Successful Season

After his success in 2008, García had a very disappointing season in 2009, rarely contending and finishing ranked 74th on the PGA Tour money list.

2008: PGA Championship

At the 2008 PGA Championship, Sergio García narrowly missed winning his first professional major championship, finishing two strokes behind Pádraig Harrington.

2009: Disappointing Season

After his success in 2008, García had a very disappointing season in 2009, rarely contending and finishing ranked 74th on the PGA Tour money list.

June 2011: Loss at BMW International Open

In June 2011, Sergio García lost to Pablo Larrazábal at the fifth sudden-death playoff hole at the BMW International Open, failing to break his winless streak since 2008. García's impressive performance, including birdies and eagles, was offset by bogeys, leading to the playoff and eventual loss.

2011: Fading on the Weekend

In 2011, Sergio García was near the lead in the Transitions Championship and the Byron Nelson Championship after 36 holes, but faded on the weekend.

2013: Controversy at the Players Championship and racist remark

In 2013, Sergio García had a public feud with Tiger Woods after the Players Championship where García finished tied for eighth after hitting three balls into the water on the 17th and 18th holes. Two weeks later, García made a racist remark about Woods at a European Tour players dinner, for which he later apologized.

July 2014: Runner-up at The Open Championship

In July 2014, Sergio García finished joint runner-up at the 2014 Open Championship, two strokes behind Rory McIlroy. This finish moved García back inside the world's top five in the world rankings.

2015: Players Championship and Ho Tram Open

In 2015, Sergio García tied for second at the Players Championship, losing in a playoff. He won the Ho Tram Open on the Asian Tour.

April 2018: High Score and Missed Cut at Masters

On April 5, 2018, during the first round of the 2018 Masters Tournament, Sergio García recorded a 13 on the 15th hole, tying the record for most strokes on a hole in Masters history. He ultimately missed the cut.

February 2019: Disqualification from Saudi International

In February 2019, Sergio García was disqualified from the Saudi International tournament for deliberately damaging five greens in anger.

March 2019: Controversy at WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

In March 2019, Sergio García was involved in a controversy at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play where a quick-rake of his putt resulted in a lost hole against Matt Kuchar, and he eventually lost the match.

April 2019: Missed Cut at the Masters

In April 2019, Sergio García missed the cut at the Masters, marking his 6th consecutive missed cut in a major championship, the longest such streak in his career.

July 2019: Controversies at the Open Championship and WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational

In July 2019, Sergio García faced controversy for throwing his driver at his caddie at The Open Championship and for gouging the teebox at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

May 2023: Resignation from European Tour

In May 2023, the European Tour announced that Sergio García had resigned his membership after being subject to fines and suspension for playing in LIV events without a conflicting event release.