Ponte Vedre, FL …
Sergio Garcia has returned to competition for this week’s Players Championship but without his Masters winning caddy.
The wife of Garcia’s long-time South African-born caddy, Glen Murray has just given birth to the couple’s second child and with Garcia arranging for former Spanish European Tour colleague, Jose Manual Lara to carry his Augusta National winning clubs.
Lara, 39 won twice on the European Tour with victory in the 2oo6 Honk Kong Open and the 2o1o Austrian Open.
No sooner had Garcia arrived at the course and he found himself being congratulated at every turn as he made his way onto the practice range for this week’s $US 10.5m event at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedre.
Sergio Garcia hits his first tee shot on Tour since winning The Masters. Image …. www.golfbytourmiss.com
It has been a whirlwind four weeks for Garcia who is already looking forward to getting back to work on Thursday, and teeing-up in an event he captured in 2o15 when, and just like the Masters, he won in a play-off.
“It has been a fabulous few weeks and the reception I have received has just been amazing and also just seeing the reaction from people seeing me in the Masters green jacket,” he said.
“What also was very special was heading home to Spain and returning to the golf club where I first began playing golf.
“The reaction from the members and everyone there at the club was something I will never forget as everyone was just so happy for me.
“But it is time to get back to what I do best so I am looking forward to getting back into competition.
Jose Manuel Lara, winner of the 2oo6 Hong Kong Open & caddying for Sergio Garcia this week.
“I know that will be difficult for a few days as everyone already has been congratulating me and that is very nice.
“I have been practicing back at home to get ready for this week, so very excited to be back and looking forward to the week.”
However, there was not one spectator on the first tee when Garcia teed off at high noon local time Monday for a practice round other than a very lucky female marshal who delighted when I took a photo of her with the Masters winner.
