To win the 2017 Masters, the most prized trophy in golf, Sergio García had to defeat his rival Justin Rose in a sudden death playoff hole.
Finally a major winner ! #SergioGarcia ! Drain-O birdie on 1st playoff hole. 2017 #Masters ! Congrats ! pic.twitter.com/exdauwcRyi
— Dan Plesac (@Plesac19) April 9, 2017
García’s win came in his 74th major championship, the longest any pro golfer has ever waited for such a breakthrough.
Relentless means struggling to possess something that’s always just out of your reach…and then finally you reach it. #Sergio #Masters
— Tim S. Grover (@ATTACKATHLETICS) April 9, 2017
At the 2017 Masters, golf fans saw sport elevated to a craft with mutual respect for both the game and opponent. Though Rose was clearly upset after his defeat, his actions and comments afterward were gracious and classy. Rose stated that “Sergio is obviously the best player not to have won a major. Any time one of those guys gets a monkey off their back I think that makes it a poignant major championship.”
Justin Rose admits #Masters defeat will "sting" but is delighted old rival Sergio Garcia has finally won https://t.co/MQ3sn2eylX pic.twitter.com/QFtphGi1FA
— Mirror Sport (@MirrorSport) April 10, 2017
Great fight and better sportsmanship by @JustinRose99 and @Fooch1993 Congrats to @TheSergioGarcia and Glen. #Masters The 🐒is off his back
— ted scott (@jtedscott) April 9, 2017
However, Padraig Harrington, a former Masters champion, was displeased with the win because of García’s sportsmanship and etiquette towards him in the past. Harrington mentioned that “I don’t tolerate people spitting in the hole, throwing their shoes or their golf clubs. That would be my attitude. That would be quite clear from where I came from.”
Thoughts on Sergio Garcia, Padraig?
"He was a very sore loser." 😳Harrington blunt but honest on #Masters champ: https://t.co/0Y3tZx6oEH pic.twitter.com/DofSVah1sx
— Golfweek (@golfweek) April 12, 2017
Passionate fans of Tiger Woods also reacted to García’s win by bringing up García’s racist comments about Woods in 2013. García and Woods have had a notoriously difficult relationship. At an award’s dinner, García said “we will have him round every night. We will serve fried chicken.”
Sergio Garcia "if he would have Woods over for dinner during the U.S. Open. We will serve fried chicken" #anyonebutracistGarcia #Masters
— Shaun higgins (@Shaunhiggins1) April 8, 2017
While García’s win at the Masters was an incredible achievement, in the future it is important for him to develop a strong reputation amongst all players on the tour.