It was 19 years ago when Sergio Garcia made his first appearance at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

That very year a Spaniard donned the green jacket after winning the Masters.

And before that came Seve Ballesteros. Ballesteros, who would’ve turned 60 on Sunday, died six years ago of brain cancer. The two-time Masters winner was the first player from Spain to win at Augusta.

He was very much present on the course Sunday.

Sergio Garcia embraces wearing the green jacket during championship ceremony Sunday, April 9, 2017, at the 81st Masters tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club.

Credit: BRANT SANDERLIN / SPECIAL

icon to expand image

Credit: BRANT SANDERLIN / SPECIAL

“Seve did come into my mind today,” Garcia said after winning his first major in a playoff with England’s Justin Rose. “I’m sure he helped a little bit with some of those shots and some of those putts.”

Garcia also made note to mention to Jose Maria Olazabal, the last Spaniard to win the Masters.

“To do it on Seve’s 60th birthday and to join him and Olazabal, my two idols in golf my whole life, it’s something amazing.

“Jose sent me a text on Wednesday night telling me how much he believed in me and what I needed to do. And just pretty much believe in myself and being calm and not letting things get to me that I’ve done in the past. And he said I’m not sharing my champions’ locker with anyone but you.”

Sergio Garcia has won his first Masters title. Beating Justin Rose in a playoff for the 1st major title of Garcia’s career.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Featured

Protestors demonstrate against the war in Gaza and the detention of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil at Emory University in Atlanta on March 20, 2025. The 30-year-old legal U.S. resident was detained by federal immigration agents in March. An Atlanta-based law firm has filed a lawsuit against the federal government arguing it illegally terminated the immigration records of five international students and two alumni from Georgia colleges, including one from Emory University. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com