A recent thread talked here on GCA talked about slow play.
A few noted, including myself, how incredibly slow
that Sergio Garcia had played at Kapalua, where he won.
It is my thesis here that slow play by the tournament
professionals on TV translates into slow play on our golf
courses today.
The 3 1/2 hour round doesn't exist today in America, thanks
in part to the Jack Nicklaus', Bernhard Langer's, and, now,
the Sergio Garcia's of the televised golf world.
Sergio must be really catching it after the announcers
pointed out his slow play at Kapalua.
This article was in today's Chicago Tribune:
CHECKING IN WITH GOLF
Garcia defends slow style of play
Won't hit shot `until I'm ready'
By Ed Sherman
Tribune golf reporter
Published January 10, 2002
Sergio Garcia is over the ball . . . he's over the ball . . . he's still over the ball . . .
Garcia's preshot routine can be maddening. He seems intent on setting the record for regripping the club. At one point last week, ESPN counted 25 regrips for one shot.
But after winning the season-opening Mercedes Championships on Sunday, Garcia isn't about to change his routine. Or apologize for it either.
"I feel I'm not going to hit a shot until I'm ready," Garcia said. "If it takes me 100 regrips, I'm going to take 100 regrips, I don't care. It's the way I play."
Garcia then turned the tables on the media.
"I don't say to you guys, `You shouldn't grip the pen that way when you write, You shouldn't blink as many times as you do when you're on the computer,'" Garcia said. "I'm not going to tell you to do something you don't like to do."
Garcia says he does the routine because it makes him feel "comfortable." Winning also makes him feel good. He has won three PGA Tour events since last May.
Garcia still hasn't turned 22. The opening victory could be an indicator that Garcia will have a breakthrough year in 2002.
"I really feel like my game is getting to a point where I can win a major," Garcia said. "I gave myself a couple chances last year. I just didn't win. I want to be able to put myself in that position again this year."