SERGIO

[Boabski]

Q Has Sergio Garcia lost his confidence after the disappointment of last years open?

 

[rgs]

Sergios problem is he cant putt-he drives well, he hits good irons but his putting is a problem and will hold him back from winning a major.

 

[shanker]

As RGS has pointed out, Garcia strikes the ball as well as anybody, even Tiger. (Or so I'm led to believe). His problem seems to be his putting and that isn't likely to improve with age. He's also a cocky t***. In his favour, Nicklaus has said that it's only a question of time before he (Garcia) wins a major. We'll see.

 

[theeaglehunter]

what I don't understand is how somebody who is so talented, has access to the best coaching and facilities in the world and has as much time as he likes really to practice can be a poor putter. I know he's only poor in comparison to other tour players, but why is this? Is it the one part of his game he never worked on as a kid or something like that?

I'm sure that if I was in his position I would be good putter.

 

[shanker]

Eagle
At your age putting is easy. You line it up, rap it and the ball drops in. It gets harder the longer you play. Confidence is a big part of it. I may be wrong but I doubt that Garcia will ever putt well.

 

[medwayjon]

Totally agree with shanker. I think that garcia has completely gone with regard to putting, some get it back but I dont think that he has a chance myself.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its like anything the longer a problem goes on the more mental it becomes. Putting is fairly easy to fix mechanically it is what goes on in the head re confidence that will be the problem. My only concern is that he'll get shot completely and end up like Langer with the dreaded yips

 

[theeaglehunter]

Shanker, line it up and the putt drops- I wish. Althoguh I must admit I think I do have it easier, I rarely strike the ball poorly. if I putt badly its because of a miss read not a poor stroke. So in terms of reading greens the older and more experienced have it easier.

My putting is brilliant at the moment though. I Hold 3 6ft+ putts in a row during my last round.

 

[shanker]

Eagle
I do agree that experience is an important part of the game but when it comes to putting.....?
Let's agree to disagree and we'll resume the discussion when you're 30.

 

[mikest]

sergio was a great putter as an amateur, and in his early days on the PGA tour, at that level as someone said earlier its about confidence. I doubt anyone on here would be a tenth as good a putter as he is if he came to your local course for a knock. He's switched putters that much lately that I feel he won't find his putting game until he settles on one with the right feel and sticks with it. The guy was a +6 or +7 handicapp at the age of 16 years old, theres no way on this planet he can't put. as for his long game, it is as its been said as good as anyones on tour and when he gets on a hot streak with his wedges he's right up there with anyone including mickleson, I think we'll see him win a major, I think he'll win the open in the next 3 years.

I dont believe he's a cocky *** as someone said, I met him at the HSBC in 2002 and he seemed a great guy, really friendly and good fun, I feel he let himself down after the open last year the way he handled himself but he had just blew the biggest oppertunity of his life so far and I can understand it.

Did anyone else see the skins game about 5 years ago when sergio and mickleson swapped 8 irons and hit their tee shots within about 10 feet of the flag? absolute genius's the pair of them.

 

[shanker]

Take your point, Mikest. Especially as you've actually met the guy. I said he was a cocky t***. None of us are perfect but I still don't like him.

 

[mikest]

Yeah I suppose you either love or hate sergio, i wasnt either way until i ment him at wentworth. My brother got us hospitality tickets in the sponsors tent alongside the 18th and had a great time, meeting sergio was the highlight I have to say and I've always kept an eye out for him since.

I felt for him at carnoustie last year but feel he could have handled himself a bit better, but as I said its hard to imagine hat its like to throw something like that away.

 

[HTL]

I am a Sergio geek, I love the way he plays and his striking of the ball is the best on tour. His putting is bad but not the worst but combine this with his less than average chipping and its east to see where he is going wrong.

I hope he regains his confidence soon otherwise I fear he will slip down the rankings and like another post said develop the yips.

COME ON SERGIO!

 

[mick]

I remember watching a matchplay game,he was playing with john daly,tiger and i can't remember who else,anyway they were mic'd up,i didn't think sergio was arrogant and i certainly would love to play a few rounds with him,if only for his putting tips lol