All the talk at the Sanderson Farms Championship has been about Sergio Garcia’s Halsey-style approach to putting — he apparently has been working on the greens with his “eyes closed” for more than a year. That includes most of the putts from his last win on Tour — the 2019 Masters.
But on Sunday, the shot that had people talking conjured memories of the Sergio of old — a fiery bit of emotion as he seemed to will his second shot through a bunker lip and just a few feet from the hole on the par-5 No. 14 at the Country Club of Jackson.
Coming off the club, it appeared as if Sergio had pushed the shot a tad right, and it might be a little short. He yelled at the ball to go and the motivation worked — the result was miraculous, as it rolled just a few feet from the hole.
After knocking in the putt, Garcia pulled into a tie for first with Peter Malnati, who was watching from the clubhouse after posting a 63 to climb atop the board.
EAGLE for @TheSergioGarcia. 🦅
A near-perfect shot into the par 5.
He's tied the lead @Sanderson_Champ.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/wJOfUc6ymK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 4, 2020
This had some of us thinking back to that win at Augusta.
Sergio made a critical eagle on the back nine on Sunday in his last victory. Just hit a fairway wood within 5' of a hole cut over a bunker and made the putt on 14 in Jackson to tie Peter Malnati, who has posted 18-under after a 63. Garcia with 1 top-10 in last 18 starts.
— Brian Mull (@BGMull) October 4, 2020
And while the shot certainly stole the Sunday spotlight, it’s worth noting that Sergio’s putting approach has not faltered since the media uncovered his secret strategy.
Sergio has made 52 of 53 putts from inside 5 feet this week. I’m going to putt with my eyes closed next week. I’m sold.
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) October 4, 2020
