Who's who: Sergio García

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Who's who: Sergio García

  • Name:

    Sergio García
  • Also known as:

    El Niño
  • Country:

    Spain
  • Born:

    Jan 9, 1980 in Borriol, Castellón, Spain.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Club de Campo del Mediterraneo, Castellón.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1999
  • Website:

    https://www.sergiogarcia.com

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): Masters Tournament (2017). British Amateur champion (1998). Ryder Cup player (1999, 2002, '04, '06, '08, '12, '14, '16, '18, '21; highest ever Ryder Cup points scorer with 28.5 pts). Multiple wins on the European (16), US PGA (11), Asian (6), Japan (1) and Australasian (1) Tours. European Tour Rookie of the Year (1999).

Did you know?

El Niño as he is sometimes known, is one of the established stars of world golf, who was as much at home on the PGA Tour as on the European Tour. He began playing golf aged three, and was taught by his father Victor, who was a club professional in Spain.

In 2017 aged 37, García was overjoyed to shed the title of "richest golfer without a major". Playing in his 74th start in a major, he beat England's Justin Rose with a birdie at the first playoff hole to win the Masters Tournament in dramatic style. As a veteran of many Ryder Cup campaigns, Garcia struck-up memorable foursome and fourball partnerships over the years with Jesper Parnevik, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Jose Maria Olzabal.

García enjoyed notable victories on the European Tour (16) and PGA Tour (11), as well as recording several other international tour wins. In 2022, aged 42, he was enticed onto Greg Norman's "rebel" LIV Golf series, alongside a few other well-known but mainly "ageing" golf stars, and an abundance of lower-ranked "unknowns". (LIV Golf is a Saudi Arabian-bankrolled breakaway rival to the main international tours. It is based on limited-field 54-hole events, with massive prize funds, guaranteed payouts and, for some, eye-watering signing-on bonuses).

Top tournaments won by Sergio García

2024
Europe
208 (-5)
US$4 million
LIV Golf

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

208 (-5)

Prize money

US$4 million

Title sponsor

LIV Golf

Played as LIV Golf Valderrama (July 12-14; 54-hole 48-player no-cut individual event, and accompanying four-player team event). [Real (Royal) Valderrama GC, San Roque, Spain].
Individual event: Sergio Garcia (Esp) beat Anirban Lahiri (India) with a par at the second playoff hole (par-4 18th).
Team event: Fireballs team (-5; Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, Eugenio Chacarra & David Puig) beat the Crushers team (-5; Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III & Anirban Lahiri) in a playoff (Ancer & Puig both scored par to beat DeChambeau & Casey at the first playoff hole). Winning Fireballs team received the $3 million team first prize.
Note: the tenth of fourteen 2024 LIV Golf League events run by Greg Norman's Saudi Arabian-bankrolled LIV Golf company.

2020
America
Jackson CC
269 (-19)
$1,188,000
Sanderson Farms

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Jackson CC

Score

269 (-19)

Prize money

$1,188,000

Title sponsor

Sanderson Farms

Played as the Sanderson Farms Championship (Oct 1-4; PGA Tour 2020/21 season). Second-placed Peter Malnati (USA) finished 1 shot behind Sergio García (Esp). [CC of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi].

2019
Europe
270 (-18)
€333,330
KLM

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

€333,330

Title sponsor

KLM

Played as the KLM Open (Sept 12-15) (100th). Second-placed Nicolai Højgaard (Den) finished 1 shot behind Garcia (Esp), who was making his debut appearance in this event (having played on the European Tour for over 20 years). [The International GC, Amsterdam Airport, Netherlands].

2018
Europe
201 (-12)
€333,330
Sergio Garcia Fndtn

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

201 (-12)

Prize money

€333,330

Title sponsor

Sergio Garcia Fndtn

Played as the Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation (Oct 18-21). Second-placed Shane Lowry (Ire) finished 4 shots behind tournament host Sergio Garcia (Esp), who won this event for the third straight time. Reduced to three rounds and a Monday finish required due to bad weather. [Real (Royal) Valderrama GC, San Roque, Spain].

2018
Asia
270 (-14)
US$180,000
SMBC

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

US$180,000

Title sponsor

SMBC

Played as the SMBC Singapore Open (Jan 18-21; Asian/Jpn Trs season-opener). Second-placed Satoshi Kodaira (Jpn) and Shaun Norris (RSA) finished 5 shots behind Garcia (Esp). [Serapong course, Sentosa GC, Singapore].

2017
Europe
269 (-19)
€410,224
Omega

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

269 (-19)

Prize money

€410,224

Title sponsor

Omega

Played as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (Feb 2-5; European Tour event). Second-placed Henrik Stenson (Swe) finished 3 shots behind wire-to-wire winner Sergio García (Esp), who claimed his 12th European Tour title. [Majlis course, Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE].

2017
Europe
272 (-12)
€333,330
Sergio Garcia Fndtn

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

272 (-12)

Prize money

€333,330

Title sponsor

Sergio Garcia Fndtn

Played as the Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation (Oct 19-22; for the first time since 2011). Second-placed Joost Luiten (Neth) finished 1 shot behind defending champion (from 2011) and tournament host Sergio Garcia (Esp). [Real (Royal) Valderrama GC, San Roque, Spain].

2017
Awards
69.30
n/a
Eurpn Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Score

69.30

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Eurpn Tr

Garcia (Esp) recorded the lowest 2017 season-long stroke average on the European Tour. Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) was second with 69.68; Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) was third with 69.72.

2017
Majors
279 (-9)
$1,980,000
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

$1,980,000

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (81st) (April 6-9). Garcia (Esp) beat Justin Rose (Eng) with a birdie at the first playoff hole (par-4 18th), to claim his first major championship win in his 74th start in a major. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

2016
America
265 (-15)
$1,314,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

265 (-15)

Prize money

$1,314,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship (May 19-22). Garcia (Esp) beat Brooks Koepka (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole (par-4 18th). [TPC course, Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, nr Dallas, TX].

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

US$270,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Ho Tram Open (Dec 3-6; Asian Tr event). Sergio Garcia (Esp) beat Himmat Rai (India) with a par at the second playoff hole. Thaworn Wiratchant (Thai) and Lin Wen-tang (Taiw) were eliminated at the first playoff hole. [The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, Vung Tau, nr Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam; now called The Bluffs, Grand Ho Tram].

2014
Europe
272 (-16)
€305,232
Commercial Bank

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Doha GC

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

€305,232

Title sponsor

Commercial Bank

Played as the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters (Jan 22-25; European Tour event). Sergio García (Esp) beat Mikko Ilonen (Fin) with a birdie at the third playoff hole. [Doha GC, Qatar].

2013
Asia
266 (-22)
US$180,000
x

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

266 (-22)

Prize money

US$180,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Thailand Golf Championship (Dec 12-15; Asian Tr event). Second-placed Henrik Stenson (Swe) finished 4 shots behind Garcia (Esp), who claimed his fourth Asian Tour win. [Amata Spring CC, Bangkok, Thailand].

2012
America
262 (-18)
$936,000
Wyndham

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

262 (-18)

Prize money

$936,000

Title sponsor

Wyndham

Played as the Wyndham Championship (Aug 16-19). Second-placed Tim Clark (RSA) finished 2 shots behind García (Esp). Monday finish required following heavy rain on Sunday. [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].

2012
Asia
198 (-18)
US$317,000
Iskandar

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

198 (-18)

Prize money

US$317,000

Title sponsor

Iskandar

Played as the Iskandar Johor Open (Dec 13-15; Asian Tr season-ending event). Second-placed Jonathan Moore (USA) finished 3 shots behind Garcia (Esp), both players scoring 11-under par 61s in the final round. Reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather. [Horizon Hills G&CC, Johor Bahru, Malaysia].

2011
Europe
257 (-27)
€333,330
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

257 (-27)

Prize money

€333,330

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Castelló Masters (Oct 20-23). Second-placed Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Esp) finished 11 shots behind runaway winner Garcia (Esp), who was playing at his home club. [GC Mediterraneo, Castellon, Spain].

2011
Europe
278 (-6)
€500,000
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

€500,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Andalucía Masters (Oct 27-30; for the last time until 2017). Second-placed Miguel Ángel Jiménez (Esp) finished 1 shot behind Sergio García (Esp), who recorded back-to-back European Tour wins, both on home soil. [Valderrama GC, San Roque, Spain].

2008
Awards
69.12
n/a
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Score

69.12

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA Tour

Garcia (Esp) won the PGA Tour Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average (over a minimum of 50 rounds). Phil Mickelson (USA) was second with 69.17; Padraig Harrington (Ire) was third with 69.28.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

$1,710,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as The Players Championship (May 8-11). García (Esp) beat Paul Goydos (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole. [Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL].

2008
Europe
264 (-20)
€333,330
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

264 (-20)

Prize money

€333,330

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Castello Masters Costa Azahar (Oct 23-26). Second-placed Peter Hedblom (Swe) finished 3 shots behind García (Esp). García was playing on his home course, where he was taught by his father Victor, the club's golf professional. [GC Mediterraneo, Castellon, Spain].

2008
Asia
274 (-14)
US$833,300
HSBC

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

US$833,300

Title sponsor

HSBC

Played as the HSBC Champions (Nov 6-9; Asian/Eurpn Trs event; Eurpn Tr 2009 season opener). Garcia (Esp) beat Oliver Wilson (Eng) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Sheshan Intl GC, Shanghai, China].

2008
Awards
69.12
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Score

69.12

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Garcia (Esp) won his first PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest adjusted scoring average on the PGA Tour (over a minimum of 60 rounds). Phil Mickelson (USA) was second with 69.12; Anthony Kim (USA) was third with 69.28.

2005
Awards
69.68
n/a
Eurpn Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Score

69.68

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Eurpn Tr

Garcia (Esp) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the European Tour. Ernie Els (RSA) was second with 69.75; Colin Montgomrie (Scot) was third with 69.83.

2005
America
270 (-14)
$900,000
Booz Allen

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

$900,000

Title sponsor

Booz Allen

Played as the Booz Allen Classic (June 9-12). Second-placed Ben Crane (USA), Davis Love III (USA) and Adam Scott (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Sergio García (Esp). [Blue course, Congressional CC, Bethesda, Maryland].

2005
Europe
270 (-14)
€283,330
Omega

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

€283,330

Title sponsor

Omega

Played as the Omega European Masters (Sept 1-4). Second-placed Peter Gustafsson (Swe) finished 1 shot behind García (Esp). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].

2004
America
272 (-12)
$945,000
Buick

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

272 (-12)

Prize money

$945,000

Title sponsor

Buick

Played as the Buick Classic (June 10-13). García (Esp) beat Rory Sabbatini (RSA) with a birdie at the third playoff hole. Padraig Harrington (Ire) was eliminated at the second playoff hole. [West course, Westchester CC, Rye, NY].

2004
America
270 (-10)
$1,044,000
EDS

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

270 (-10)

Prize money

$1,044,000

Title sponsor

EDS

Played as the EDS Byron Nelson Championship (May 13-16). García (Esp) beat Dudley Hart (USA) and Robert Damron (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole. [TPC course, Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, nr Dallas, TX. Early rounds also on the Cottonwood Valley course].

2004
Europe
268 (-18)
€166,660
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Pula

Score

268 (-18)

Prize money

€166,660

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Mallorca Classic (Oct 14-17). Second-placed Simon Khan (Eng) finished 4 shots behind García (Esp), who recorded his fifth European Tour win. [Pula GC, Son Servera, Mallorca, Spain].

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$1,200,000

Title sponsor

Nedbank

Played as the Nedbank Golf Challenge (Nov 27-30; unofficial event; limited field of 18 top tour professionals). Garcia (Esp) beat Retief Goosen (RSA) at the first playoff hole. [Gary Player CC, Sun City Resort, North West Prov, South Africa].

2002
Europe
275 (-13)
€287,000
Canarias Golf

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

€287,000

Title sponsor

Canarias Golf

Played as the Canarias Open de Espana. Second-placed Emanuele Canonica (Ita) finished 4 shots behind García (Esp). [El Cortijo CC, Telde, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands].

2002
Asia
Hanyang CC
265 (-23)
US$81,900
Kolon

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Hanyang CC

Score

265 (-23)

Prize money

US$81,900

Title sponsor

Kolon

Played as the Kolon Cup Korea Open (Sept 5-8; Asian/Korean Trs event). Second-placed Wook-soon Kang (S Kor) finished 3 shots behind García (Esp), who recorded his first Asian Tour win. [New course, Hanyang CC, Goyang, nr Seoul, S Korea].

2002
America
274 (-18)
$720,000
Mercedes

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

274 (-18)

Prize money

$720,000

Title sponsor

Mercedes

Played as the Mercedes Championships (Jan 3-6; PGA Tour season opener). García (Esp) beat David Toms (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort, Maui, Hawaii].

2001
America
268 (-16)
$630,000
Buick

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

268 (-16)

Prize money

$630,000

Title sponsor

Buick

Played as the Buick Classic (June 21-24). Second-placed Scott Hoch (USA) finished 3 shots behind García (Esp). [West course, Westchester CC, Rye, NY].

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

268 (-20)

Prize money

$2,000,000

Title sponsor

Nedbank

Played as the Nedbank Golf Challenge (Nov 29-Dec 2; unofficial event; limited field of 12 top tour professionals). 21-year-old Garcia (Esp) beat defending champion Ernie Els (RSA) in a playoff. Garcia recorded a score of 21-under par (including the one playoff hole) in the 21st Nedbank Golf Challenge [Gary Player CC, Sun City Resort, North West Prov, South Africa].

2001
America
267 (-13)
$720,000
Master Card

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

267 (-13)

Prize money

$720,000

Title sponsor

Master Card

Played as the MasterCard Colonial (May 17-20). Second-placed Brian Gay (USA) and Phil Mickelson (USA) finished 2 shots behind 21-year-old Sergio García (Esp), who recorded his first PGA Tour win. [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].

2001
Europe
Saint-Nom-La-Breteche
266 (-18)
€239,782
Lancôme

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Saint-Nom-La-Breteche

Score

266 (-18)

Prize money

€239,782

Title sponsor

Lancôme

Played as the Trophée Lancôme (Sept 20-23). Second-placed Retief Goosen (RSA) finished 1 shot behind García (Esp). [Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, nr Paris, France].

1999
Europe
268 (-16)
€233,320
Murphy's

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

268 (-16)

Prize money

€233,320

Title sponsor

Murphy's

Played as Murphy's Irish Open (July 1-4). Second-placed Ángel Cabrera (Arg) finished 3 shots behind first-time European Tour winner García (Esp). [Druids Glen course, Druids Glen Resort, Co. Wicklow, Ireland].

1999
Awards
€1,317,693
see Score
Eurpn Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Score

€1,317,693

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Eurpn Tr

Garcia (Esp) won the European Tour 1999 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season player. 19 year-old Garcia finished third on the Tour's Order of Merit, with earnings of €1,317,693.

1999
Europe
277 (-11)
€291,700
Linde

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

€291,700

Title sponsor

Linde

Played as the Linde German Masters (Sept 30-Oct 3). García (Esp) beat Pádraig Harrington (Ire) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. Ian Woosnam (Wales) was eliminated at the first playoff hole. [GC Gut Lärchenhof, Pulheim, nr Cologne, Germany].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

7 & 6

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

R&A

The Amateur Championship (103rd). Garcia (Esp) beat Craig Williams (Wales) 7 and 6 in the final. [Muirfield - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, East Lothian].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

6 & 5

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

R&A

Played as the Boys Amateur Championship. Garcia (Esp) beat Richard Jones (Eng) 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final match. [East course, Saunton GC, nr Braunton, North Devon].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

EGA

Played as the European Amateur Championship. Second-placed Mattias Eliasson (Swe) finished 1 shot behind 15-year-old Garcia (Esp). David Howell (Eng) was 1 shot further back in third place. [Real (Royal) GC El Prat, El Prat de Llobregat, nr Barcelona Airport. Club now located in Terrassa, nr Barcelona].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Garcia, Sergio

Venue

Score

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

R&A

Played as the inaugural Junior Open Championship. Won by Garcia (Esp).

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