Sports Then and Now

Sergio Garcia is looking to recapture past form at the 2011 Masters.

Former world number two, Sergio Garcia, made his long awaited return to the PGA Tour with a decent showing at the Transitions Championship in Florida. The Spaniard was playing his first American event in seven months, and there were signs over the weekend that Garcia could be back to his best. His tournament somewhat drifted away on the third and fourth days after finding himself tied for second after two rounds.

Rounds of 72 and 71 saw Garcia drop down the leaderboard to finish tied for 15th, but there were plenty of positives to take for Sergio following his spell away from the game last year after nearly two years spent struggling with every part of his game. His first two rounds saw Garcia avoid picking up a single bogey and there seems to be a strong base for the fan’s favorite to rebuild his game and the golf odds reflect this.

The 31-year-old displayed his new clawed putting grip, and the evidence suggested the changes have worked, birdying three of the opening four holes despite being attacked by a bee in his stunning second round of 66.

Garcia was happy with the way the weekend went as he continues to search for his first title since lifting the HSBC Champions trophy in 2008.

“I hit the ball nicely. I hit a lot of fairways, I hit a lot of greens and have been chipping and putting nicely. So everything seems to be on the right way,” he said.

With the opening major of the year just around the corner, Sergio could well spring a major surprise at Augusta, although the Masters odds 2011 suggest he is in for a tough time. The Spaniard hasn’t managed to mount a title challenge at the Masters since back in 2004, where he tied for fourth. It isn’t one of Sergio’s favoured majors but Augusta is certainly a course where his game is suited.

His control on the tees has the potential to give him the ability to challenge for the Green Jacket but whether it is too soon after returning to the game remains to be seen.