Sergio García breaks through in sudden-death Masters finish

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Until it finally really happened — until it was official, until it was in the books, until no one could take it away from him — you just didn’t know about Sergio Garcia ever winning a major championship.

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How could you?

He had played 73 major championships and never won one. He lost some heartbreakers, and he often lost his composure along the way.

Garcia himself, five years ago on his way off the grounds at Augusta National, left us to believe he never would win a major when he said as much, telling reporters he felt like he simply didn’t have it in him, that he was playing for second place. He, too, excoriated Augusta National as a place he had grown to detest.

And yet there Garcia was in Sunday’s final round of the 81st Masters, putting an end to all the doubt and all the pent-up frustration, winning his first career major championship.

Sergio Garcia is a major championship winner at last. He is the 2017 Masters champion, overcoming years of baggage, his nerves and ultimately Justin Rose on the first playoff hole, a birdie on 18 the difference.

“It’s been such a long time coming,” an emotional Garcia said. “Today, I felt a calmness I’ve never felt in a major championship Sunday. Even after making a couple bogeys, I was still positive. I still believed there were holes I could get to.”

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