Strangely, Sergio Garcia will draw on knowledge his father has of this week’s host venue to capture a second Irish Open title 16 years after winning the event.
Garcia was just 19 years of age when he broke through to capture a maiden pro career victory in the 1999 Irish Open at Druids Glen.”
The victory was the first of now 26 tournament success worldwide for the 35-year old Spaniard.
However in a quest to capture a second Irish Open success Garcia has turned to his father, Victor who competed in both the 2001 and 2002 Senior British Open when held at Royal County Down.
It was one of just two Seniors Tour events the then 50-year old Victor Garcia contested in 2001 and playing all four rounds to finish T61st.
In 2002, Garcia’s father also played four rounds to finish in a share of 51st.
Sergio Garcia strangely set to draw on his father Victor’s experience of playing at Royal County Down.
“When I told my father I was going to play the Irish Open he said he still had very good memories of playing Royal County Down as it was actually his Senior’s Tour debut,” said Garcia.
“He said it was also the first time for Jack Nicklaus playing in the tournament so there was a lot of interest in Mr. Nicklaus.
“But then my dad told me he had been happy to be inside the top-50 after two rounds but then he just didn’t play that well over the weekend.
“His knowledge of the course is still pretty clear so it has been good for me to talk to him briefly what to expect this week.
“Of course, the course has changed a bit since then but it is still a great challenge and I am really pleased to be here this week and be part of such a great field Rory (McIlroy) has been able to assemble.”
Garcia returned in 2010 to defend his Irish Open title finishing 10th at Ballybunion but bizarrely has not contested the event since.
However with the help of tournament host tournament host Rory McIlroy, Garcia will take his place in one of the strongest Irish Open fields in some time.
“It was pretty tricky to be here because there is some big tournaments around this event, and as you know, I had to miss last week’s at event at Wentworth,” he said.
“I had the Spanish Open last fortnight, and two weeks in America before that, so it was just too many weeks in a row.
“But then I heard a lot of great things about this event and with Rory asking me as a favour to play, so from friend to friend that is why I am here, and it’s for a great cause, also for Rory’s foundation.
“So it was a fairly easy decision and I’ve been looking forward to have an excuse to come back to the Irish Open. So I guess this is a good one.”
