So, it really might be Sergio Garcia’s year, huh?
The Spaniard hadn’t teed it up in professional competition since capturing his first major at Augusta National in April, but he’s at TPC Sawgrass for the Players this week. Garcia looked a bit rusty on the front nine, going out with a +4 40, and he remained +4 heading into the 16th hole, which he birdied.
That meant it was time to face down the island green at 17, one of the more famous holes in golf.
How’d he do? Well, essentially perfect:
Have a year, Sergio, my goodness.
A few nuggets on the ace:
Going fourteen years from 2002-2016 and then having them in back-to-back years is fascinating, and a reminder of how much random chance goes into a hole-in-one.
https://twitter.com/JustinRayGC/status/862795099859714049
Great moment on @THEPLAYERSChamp 17th for late staying fans as @TheSergioGarcia makes ace, gets to watch replay too: pic.twitter.com/sUJVnZrfqJ
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) May 11, 2017
Setting the number at 56,178.5 and like the over https://t.co/BhJ7TwiRpr
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) May 11, 2017
Garcia ended up parring the 18th, coming in with 33 on the back side for a +1 73 on the day. That’s only good enough for a T68, but it leaves him in position to make the cut tomorrow, and it’s only 6 shots off William McGirt’s lead.
Plus, of course, he aced one of the best holes in the world to ace, which is nice.