I’M HUNGRY FOR SECONDS
Garcia can follow legends with back-to-back glory
SERGIO GARCIA is hungry to defend his title – after serving a Spanish meal including ingredients from the other 10 countries to have won the Masters at the Champions Dinner.
The world No.9 returns to Augusta in different style: married, a father to Azalea and wearing a Green Jacket. But he is buzzing and eager to get started.
“I’m really excited for many reasons,” he said. “It’s been three amazing days already, starting Sunday. The feel you get and the receptions you get coming to Augusta as a champion are different.
“I’ve always been very fortunate with the way people have treated me, all around the world, and especially here at Augusta. But now, as a Masters champion, it’s just a different feeling, it’s unbelievable.”
After his third round here in 2012, El Nino whinged he would never win a Major. He finally did it at the 74th attempt, beating Justin Rose in a thrilling play-off last year (left).
So does Garcia now regret his earlier pessimism?
“I always say what I feel at the time and that’s the way I felt,” said the 38-year-old. “But I kept believing and just had to wait for the right time, and that was last year.”
Tiger Woods was the last man to retain the title in 2002 – and only Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo have also achieved the feat.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s back-to-back or just one,” Garcia said. “It is difficult to win any tournament, and Augusta and the Masters, it’s even more difficult.”
After tapas, Garcia served Caesar salad with added international ingredients – with sole from Sandy Lyle’s Scotland – a lobster rice dish and the Mexican dessert leches cake last night
“Obviously, it had a lot of Spanish taste to it,” Garcia added.