Sergio Garcia’s stunning return to winning ways with back-to-back victories in the Castelló Masters and the Andalucia Masters in his native country has earned the dashing Spaniard The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month Award for October…
The 31 year old claimed his first title since the HSBC Champions back in November 2008 when he turned in a compelling performance over his home course, Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, to capture the event by an 11 shot margin with a 27 under par total of 257.
Garcia promptly made it two wins in succession, for the first time in his European Tour career, by becoming the first Spaniard to claim a title over the fiendishly tricky Club de Golf Valderrama, where he had finished second in three consecutive Volvo Masters between 2004-2006.
In the space of two tournaments, Garcia amassed €833,330 to climb to 18th in the Official World Golf Ranking and seventh in The Race to Dubai.
Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live, commented: “It is fantastic to see one of the great talents of European golf back where he belongs. This was a stellar month for European golfers all around the world but the most eye-catching performances came in Europe, from Sergio.”
October turned out to be a memorable month for The European Tour, with a dramatic entrance to the professional ranks by Walker Cup winner, Tom Lewis of England, who secured his first professional title in just his third event, the Portugal Masters.
Lewis was a strong contender for the monthly award, as was his fellow countryman, Lee Slattery, who landed the Bankia Madrid Masters on his 183rd start on The European Tour. On the global front, Luke Donald produced a remarkable finish to claim the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic and the 2011 US PGA Tour Money List title, while Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland captured the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters in China.
However, Garcia topped the October poll and he joins an illustrious list of Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month winners in 2011, following Martin Kaymer (January), Luke Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March), Charl Schwartzel (April), Rory McIlroy (June), Darren Clarke (July), Thomas Björn (August) and Michael Hoey (September).
Garcia will now, with his fellow award winners, be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, which was won jointly by Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell in 2010.
