The golf icon had a secret profession as a footballer.
Sergio Garcia received the Masters in 2017 (Picture: Getty)
Profitable the Masters is about pretty much as good because it will get for any golfer. {Most professional} gamers will let you know it’s the one they need greater than every other.
All through its illustrious historical past, there have been 57 completely different gamers to have received a inexperienced jacket. The newest, in fact, being Rory McIlroy within the 2025 version, dramatically beating Justin Rose in a nail-biting play-off.
He adopted within the footsteps of {golfing} greats, resembling Jack Nicklaus, Gary Participant and Tiger Woods. Nevertheless it’s one other member of the Masters winners’ circle who loved a lesser-known profession in a totally completely different sport.
Introducing Sergio Garcia: the Crew Europe Ryder Cup legend and winner of the 2017 Masters. Garcia may be spending the latter a part of his profession in LIV Golf, however throughout his time with the PGA, the Spaniard was some of the revered gamers on Tour.
His 2017 triumph introduced an finish to an agonising watch for a significant title, given Garcia had completed second in each the PGA Championship and The Open on 4 completely different events. However when he ultimately ended that wait, Garcia was truly the president and chairman of his hometown soccer membership, CF Borriol.
Higher nonetheless, Garcia even took to the pitch every now and then for the facet who have been competing within the fourth tier of Spanish soccer on the time. Opening up on his sporting love affair, Garcia advised CNN in 2013: “It’s good enjoyable and each time I’m round I get to observe with them somewhat bit and play somewhat bit right here and there. This season, I’ve performed most likely 5 video games, so not so much, however I take pleasure in.
“As any good Spaniard will let you know, we love soccer. Sport on the whole in Spain has been nice for the final 10 years or so, however soccer has been nice with the Euro Cups and the World Cup.”
Sergio Garcia loved a profession in soccer alongside his golf exploits (Picture: Getty)
Garcia has made his love of La Liga giants Actual Madrid clear on a number of events, however his reference to Borriol dates again to 2003. Pedro Fernandez, the then vice chairman, stated: “We put collectively a working group headed by Sergio, as president, his brother Victor and different pals. We make all of the administration choices because it pertains to the staff.
“Sergio has accomplished an incredible job prior to now seven years to create a soccer academy for Borriol’s younger girls and boys. CF Borriol’s objective is to increase the academy and hopefully promote gamers from the junior groups to the primary staff.”
His taking part in debut got here in 2010, when Garcia swapped his golf footwear for a pair of soccer boots. And when quizzed on the variations between the 2 sports activities, Garcia admitted he feels much less strain on the soccer pitch.
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The Inexperienced Jacket holder stated: “Taking part in soccer just isn’t as a lot strain since you don’t have that a lot time to suppose … all the pieces is faster, sooner and you might be transferring on a regular basis. I’ve all the time loved being a part of a staff and sharing issues together with your teammates.”
Maybe that explains why he made the choice to depart the PGA Tour for LIV then?
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