Newlywed Garcia not on form that brought Masters win

CHARLOTTE: Sergio Garcia has a new bride and a green jacket, but what he lacks on the eve of the PGA Championship is the form that brought him a major breakthrough at the Masters.

The 37-year-old Spaniard will tee off alongside British Open winner Jordan Spieth and US Open champion Brooks Koepka in Thursday’s opening round at Quail Hollow struggling with his game.

“The last month and a half, it just hasn’t felt as fluid as it usually does,” Garcia said Wednesday. “It was definitely better at Augusta for sure. My swing was behaving a little bit more the way I want it.

“That doesn’t mean that I’m playing badly. I don’t see all the shots the way I want them. But it doesn’t mean that I’m hitting the ball poorly.

“I’ve always been a feel player. So if I feel something that works and I can ride that feeling throughout the week, then we should be fine. If not, we’ll fight with what we have and try to do the best possible.”

Garcia married Angela Akins on June 30 in Texas with singer Kenny G performing. Garcia wore the green jacket he won in April when he captured the Masters for his first major title in his 74th major start.

“We’re at a golf tournament. We’re not going to start talking about the wedding and everything that went on with it,” Garcia said.

“It was a great day. Angela and the wedding planner did an amazing job and we all really enjoyed it. We had a lot of good friends there and family and it was a wonderful day and we’ll cherish it for the rest of our lives. But we’re here to play golf.”

And while his golfing isn’t where it was four months ago at Augusta National, fifthranked Garcia has already had a successful season no matter what unfolds at the year’s last major. - AFP