Sergio García has been a professional since 1999. He has played 100 Majors, more than 600 tournaments, and this Thursday at Quail Hollow he will face his twenty-fifth PGA Championship. It sounds easy. Experience for days. It’s no exaggeration to say that the veteran golfer from Borriol has seen it all. That’s why, in Charlotte, from Ten Golf, we wanted to put him to a game. It’s about debunking or confirming some of the golf myths that circulate. It’s also a way to ease the hours before a Major to which he doesn’t arrive exactly brimming with confidence.
First myth. That shot that fans and media label as out of this world and in reality wasn’t all that…
“Let’s see, it’s not easy, there have been so many shots over the years. I’d have to think about it. Obviously, there’s the one from the ’99 PGA, the one from the tree at Medinah, although that was indeed a great shot. That’s a myth. I’d have to think about it, I don’t know. There have been some shots with water nearby and such, you hit it five metres to the right, pull it a bit, and it ends up next to the flag. And they say great shot, great shot. Yes, it’s a great shot, but well…
Second myth. The opposite. That shot that fans and media label as a disaster and in reality wasn’t that bad…
“I’d have to think about it a bit more… Yes, maybe the one on the 15th at Augusta in 2018, the year after the victory. I went into the water, but I felt the shot was perfect. I hit it just as I wanted. I remember another on the 15th at Augusta, years before. The flag was short to the right and I hit a fantastic 5-iron. I landed it on the green and forward. Half a yard more and it’s three metres for eagle. But it stayed there, seemed like it would stay, and ended up going into the water. You go from making 3 to 6 in a blink. And the shot was fantastic.
Third myth. The Spanish hands…
(Lots of laughter). “Yes. It’s true that’s always said because in history we have several players who, yes, have been very good around the green. But it’s not because they were born in Spain, of course. Then you see Patrick Reed, for example. Or Phil Mickelson, who chip incredibly well and I think they have American hands”.
Fourth myth. Windy and rainy day, good for a British player…
(More laughter). “Yes. There are some British players who don’t mind playing in rain and wind and such. And there are others who hate it. I, for example, although I’m not British, like playing in the wind, but not in the rain. If I had to name a British player who doesn’t like those conditions, I’d say Ian Poulter, he doesn’t like playing with a lot of clothing”.
Fifth myth. The best par 3s in the world. It’s always said they are the 17th at Sawgrass, the 12th at Augusta, and the 8th at Royal Troon…
“Yes, that’s quite a myth. I think there are very good par threes in many places, although obviously those are some of the most famous and probably that’s why they’re put there. I’d also include the 16th at Cypress, the 7th at Pebble Beach, or the 15th at Valderrama. That hole seems like a spectacular par three to me. Then, there are many par threes that maybe I haven’t played and that are spectacular. I probably wouldn’t say they’re the three best in the world.
Sixth myth. The equipment. Players constantly changing clubs, setup, testing shafts, balls, driver heads, is it really that important?…
“That’s not a myth. Without a doubt, when an amateur gets a fitting, it does help. It takes strokes off. You’re not going to go from shooting 90 to 72, no. But you can definitely take off at least 4 or 5 strokes, without a doubt. Although in the end, what will take the most strokes off is practice. Obviously, if you have clubs made to your measure and they suit your body and playing style a bit more, then obviously it does help a bit”.
Seventh myth. Your relationship with Tiger Woods. Many of us thought that during the most heated period of your rivalry with Tiger Woods you wouldn’t even greet each other if you saw each other in a hallway…
“That’s a myth. Look, obviously we had a rivalry, but when we saw each other on the putting green we would greet each other. Maybe we wouldn’t hug like with others, but yes, a ‘how are you, how’s the family?’ Normal and correct. Courtesy.
Eighth myth. Golf is not a sport…
“Total myth and it’s very easy to debunk. You don’t even need to play golf. When people come to walk 18 holes with you and finish saying, I’m dead. That’s enough. Look, I think, obviously, yes, it’s not the 100 metres, it’s not football and such, but it’s a different kind of exertion, physically and mentally”.
Ninth myth. When you say, you have to see how this or that player’s ball sounds. For example, it’s always been said that your ball or Rory’s sounds different. Is that myth or reality?…
“It’s not a myth. When you see someone special, you notice. It sounds a bit different. It’s like when you see Roger hitting a tennis ball or someone who hits it very, very cleanly: the sound of the ball is a bit different. Someone whose ball sounds different, I’d say Ludvig Åberg. He hits it very, very pure and clean. Tiger, of course”.
Tenth myth. Mito Pereira…
(Laughter). “No, we call Mito a legend”.
Perfect. The PGA Championship can now begin.
