UNLUCKY 13
Sergio 8-over - just on 15th hole
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fortunately, Sergio Garcia named his recently born daughter Azalea, after the 13th hole at Augusta National, and not the 15th hole.
Because Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, not only played himself out of defending his title, but also tied a dubious tournament record in the process by making an historic mess of No. 15, which is named “Firethorn.’’
Garcia, who ended a drought of 74 major tournaments without a win last April at Augusta, took an 8-over 13 on the par-5 15th in Thursday’s first round. He finished with a 9-over 81.
In an interesting twist, it was an eagle on the 15th hole in the final round last year that propelled Garcia to victory.
Garcia, who began the 15th hole at 2-over, hit his second shot into the pond guarding the front of the 15th green. From there, he proceeded to hit four more shots into the water before finally reaching the green.
By the time he rolled in his final shot, a 10-foot putt, Garcia had a 13 on the hole, tying the highest single-hole score in Masters history. He trudged to the 16th tee at 10-over.
“I don’t know what to tell you,’’ said Garcia, who seemed numbed by it all after his round. “It’s one of those things. I feel like … I don’t know, it’s the first time in my career where I make a 13 without missing a shot. Simple as that. I felt like I hit a lot of good shots and unfortunately the ball just didn’t want to stop. So it’s just unfortunate, but that’s what it is.’’
Garcia said he had 206 yards to the flag with his second shot and hit 6-iron.
“I thought it was perfect, straight at the flag,’’ he said. “I don’t know, if it carries probably two more feet it’s probably good. And if it probably carries a foot less, it probably doesn’t go off the green and probably stays on the fringe, but unfortunately I flew it on the perfect spot for it to come back [and roll into the water]. And then I kept hitting good shots with the sand wedge and unfortunately I don’t know why, the ball just wouldn’t stop.’’
Asked if the fact he played the rest of the round in 1-under is something he can take positive from, Garcia said bluntly, “Not really.’’
Garcia, who won last year’s Masters at 9-under for the week, birdied the 16th hole to get to 9over for his round, but regardless of what he does the rest of the tournament, the damage he did to himself on the 15th hole virtually guarantees he won’t be around for the weekend to defend his title.
Garcia, however, will stay through Sunday so he can partake in the Masters tradition of slipping the green jacket onto the new winner.