Golf’s nearly man finally comes good to send Tiger a warning

GOLF COMMENT: SAM TORRANCE

FOR years, Sergio Garcia has been known as the young man with a big future and while his talents are unquestionable, the trophy cabinet hasn’t always matched the reputation.

We thought all that had changed on the 18th green at Carnoustie when he was left with a 10-foot putt to win the Open Championship. Unfortunately for the amiable young Spaniard it wasn’t to be and Padraig Harrington stole the show, but we’ve always known that a big title was on the way.

The Players Championship is regarded as the fifth major in golf and Sergio’s victory at Sawgrass over the weekend went a long way to telling the world that he is back in the hunt for major titles.

Sergio was never more than a couple of shots off the leaderboard and putted beautifully all weekend. Everyone was delighted for him and that win will do wonders for his confidence ahead of the US Open.

Tiger should take note. Sympathies, however, for relative unknown Paul Goydos, who was enjoying the tournament of his life until he bogeyed the last to set up a play-off with Garcia. Still, the experience will make Paul stronger.

MAIDEN WIN

Meanwhile, Hennie Otto claimed his maiden European Tour win in the Italian Open at the weekend. Otto, like Trevor Immelman, is the latest in a string of up-and-coming South African players and his impressive 25-under-par aggregate was just one shot off the tournament record set in 1935 by Percy Alliss.

That’s called arriving in style