Aug 24

Sergio Garcia goes gaffe Garcia again with premature showboating celebration vs. Barclays winner Vijay Singh

PARAMUS, N.J. - When Sergio Garcia slammed his putter down in the sand trap at the 18th green like Kobe Bryant pulling out his jersey and pointing it at the crowd, you didn’t know it was going to end badly for him. After all, how can you expect Vijay Singh - whose putting has dogged him throughout his career - to drop in a 26-foot birdie putt on the top of Garcia’s 27-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole at The Barclays?

But even before Singh struck back, you knew Garcia had gone over the top.

Pointing up to European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo in the TV tower overlooking the 18th green was one thing. Doing that furious fist pump routine was another. The blown kiss was still another. But the putter celebration slam, an I’ve shown-you-this-is-done move if there ever was one, pushed it to another level in showboating.

You know Singh and his caddie couldn’t have been thrilled about it. Just like you knew Sergio had no chance to regroup - not after he’d done everything but broke into a jig moments earlier - when Singh struck back. Sergio Garcia partied like the tournament was over, even as Singh still held the chance to send it to a second playoff hole.

Which he did - and then quickly finished it with no drama from Sergio besides his free mole burrowing drop.

Well, at least you cannot say this second edition of the FedEx Cup lacks excitement. The finish at Ridgewood Country Club is one of the best you’ll ever see in a non major in any year or era. It had it all, including Sergio going Sergio.

He’s the most fascinating figure in golf - Tiger Woods included. And he always finds a way to do himself in. This time, it came with a premature party.

Remember to tune in to WorldGolf.com Monday morning for a full column and story on the crazy events.

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Sergio Garcia's PGA Championship pain could become even worse with Barclays win »

15 comments

Comment from: Dylan Dalgas [Visitor]

Your a fa*got buddy, learn how to right (yeah I spelt it like that to put emphasis on my point) Sergio was stoked that he made a putt , you probably couldn't do that in a fu*kin million years bud. Of course he's gunna do some crazy fist pumps, what else do you expect from a guy who can't seem to win. Plus did you even watch the fu*king golf today? They showed Sergio's reaction on Vijays putt and you could tell that he wanted Vijay to make and was actually happy that Vijay made his putt. So fu*king learn up before you rip into a superstar player like Sergio Garcia.

2008-08-24 @ 23:23

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member]

Yeah, he was happy that Singh made the putt to deny him a win. And Shaq's really hurt that Kobe couldn't win a title without him.

I was sitting off that green inside the ropes. I'll take that eye evidence over your belief in a fake smile and high five for TV - Sergio specialties by the way. But none of this or your points have anything to do with my points in the blog. It's not how Sergio reacted after Vijay's putt that was the problem. It's how crazy he went after his putt that stopped him from having any chance of winning the tournament once Vijay shocked him by matching it.

Just look at the very next shot Sergio hit on the second playoff hole after he went WWF. He lost the tournament with that dud.

2008-08-24 @ 23:43

Comment from: golfgirl [Visitor]

Sergio Garcia is an extraordinary star... and so compelling to watch. Vijay Singh is has real presence too. He's awesome. Together they made this playoff really special and I think they both realized that.

Good for the Fedex Cup. I'm really looking forward to next weekend.

2008-08-25 @ 00:24

Comment from: golfgirl [Visitor]

2008-08-25 @ 00:26

Comment from: enigma [Visitor]

As usual Baldwin vents his spleen on Sergio. He just doesn't get it. For poor Chris the glass is half empty when it comes to Garcia and his skill which he can only dream about

2008-08-25 @ 10:37

Comment from: Dylan Dalgas [Visitor]

"I was sitting off that green inside the ropes"

look who's showboatin now buddy

2008-08-25 @ 12:38

Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]

It may have been a premature celebration or it may have just been pure elation. It reminded me of his compatriot Seve's reactions after similar shots, come to think of it.

Singh said afterwards that Sergio is a good friend of his. Didn't see Sergio give Harrison a smile and a high five, did you?

2008-08-25 @ 14:01

Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]

Who's Harrison?! Harrington.

2008-08-25 @ 14:04

Comment from: jaypee [Visitor]

McDonald, Baldwin...who else now is going to hammer Garcia on the head. What is the problem ? He plays golf, is one of the best in the world, he reacts when he makes a shot, he wants to win. Let's say Tiger makes that putt and goes into the usual agressive fist pump, then Vijay makes it. What do you write: nothing. Its ok, Tiger is an agressive winner.

And we can go back to previous blogs when you all complained against dull, clone golfers, never showing emotion...and bla...bla. Poor action / reaction 'journalism'.

Let the show happen, congratulate Vijay for his character. With all the recent complaints about nobody stepping up to fill the 'Tiger void', you can't say Sergio is not doing it.

2008-08-25 @ 14:27

Comment from: Booger [Visitor]

You complain about Sergio's histrionics?
Have you seen the idiot Woods after a
stroke of luck on the golf course? You
are on drugs, Baldwin.

2008-08-25 @ 17:41

Comment from: golfgirl [Visitor]

Yeah Chris, and if I remember correctly you've been known to criticize the Korean chicks for not showing enough emotion. What's that all about?

Oh well at least Mike Wier bowed out before you could get on his case... for whatever.

2008-08-25 @ 17:51

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member]

You don't remember correctly Golf Girl. Not even close. That wasn't me. I have never criticized Korean golfers (women or men) in mass for anything.

In fact, I believe I've only criticized even one Korean American golfer ever: Michelle Wie. And it sure wasn't for being boring.

Of course, this mistake on your part doesn't bother me as much as the fact I'm in NY area, Patricia and you haven't tried to play a round of golf with me. Talk about getting snubbed.

2008-08-25 @ 22:37

Comment from: golfgirl [Visitor]

You're from the NY area Christopher? I thought you were from North of the Border.

I'd love to play with you.

2008-08-26 @ 20:41

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member]

I'm not from the NY area. But I'm in the area at the moment and know it well, though I am leaving on another trip soon. I like the idea that you think I'm from Canada though.

I do have sort of that exotic flair about me. Alas, even I win a little too much to be Canadian. Also, if I was Canadian I wouldn't have to work for the Castle Baron. I could just live off the government.

Anyway, I'll send an e-mail about the round possibility. I'm not sure that the TG readers are enthralled by this exchange - as interesting as I find it.

2008-08-27 @ 03:15

Comment from: Dylan Dalgas [Visitor]

I'd also love to play against (not with) your, so I could shut your snobby faggot face up.

Sergio is King, Baldwin is a Queen.

2008-08-30 @ 11:09

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