Of course he played a power fade all week. It only failed him a few times. Sergio has suffered over the years from a number of maladies, whether it's personality (a certain smugness and/or hubris, i.e., spitting in the cup at a tour event), an overly-wrought-preshot-milking-the-club routine and, of course, a halting, balking, fearful putting stroke. Stan Utley, among others has tried to assist in that regard.
But he's never lacked ball-striking talent. And he's always been the kind of guy that people pulled for, especially as his major drought went on. Like many, I cheered for the guy. I wanted him to win more and I wanted him to win yesterday. When he got to the two-shot lead after the fifth hole (IIRC), I really thought he was going to seize the moment. But then he missed at least three makeable putts from around 5 feet or so, and he missed them in the old Sergio way, with a weak stroke that pushed the ball wobbling to the left or right in a manner that suggested nerves (uh, duh, of course he was nervous) or a badly read line.
A lot of players missed putts yesterday. But Sergio had this tournament in his grasp and he almost let it slip away. So did Norman, back in the day. So did Spieth, just last year. It happens. But when it does, I simply don't think there's anything wrong with making the observation or offering the judgment. I think commentators should do it more often. Johnny Miller (yeah, he annoys me too), is one of the few that will utter the word choke on a telecast.
The reason I got so pissed yesterday is that I was loudly cheering for Sergio. Not because I dislike Rose, but I emotionally wanted the Spaniard to get the goddamned monkey off his back. When he missed makeable putts, I was screaming at the television. When Rose missed at 18 and, in a very gentlemanly fashion, finished out without marking his ball, giving Garcia his moment, I was shocked at Rose's miss, but felt that Sergio could finally expiate his angst-ridden history at the majors. Then he shove-wobbled the putt to the right. It was a stroke like one I've made hundreds of times when faced with an important putt. Their combined experience at the 18th green was incredibly familiar to me, as I've observed grown men puking over five footers for decades at various club events that I've played in. It happens. But this was to win a Green Jacket. This reminded me instantly of Doug Sanders in the 1970 Open Championship when he shingled his 18 inch putt and lost the Championship.
I'm sure that most of you continued to watch the playoff. I was so steamed at both of these great professionals that I took the dog for a long walk. I haven't even looked at any of the video of the playoff hole but heard about Rose's troubles off the tee and learned that Sergio stiffed yet another iron and had an easy two-putt for the victory. It was heartening to hear that he made the birdie putt, because I wouldn't have wanted the putter in his hands if he needed to make a comebacker if it lipped out and trundled down the green.