Twenty years on from first PGA Tour win, can Sergio Garcia triumph again at Colonial?
The Spaniard won for the first time in America at the Forth Worth course in 2001 and a 7-under-par 63 gave him a share of the first round lead with Jordan Spieth.
Like everyone, a lot has changed over the last 20 years for Sergio Garcia.
So much change and also one factor that stays the same: the Spaniard is an enigma.
Back where it all started! Still remember my first win in Fort Worth and am excited to get back this week. 🤘🏼 @CSChallengeFW #fortworth pic.twitter.com/LMjT3G9uWj
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) May 24, 2021
One eagle and five birdies vaulted him into a share of the first round lead with Jordan Spieth, two blows clear of Jason Kokrak and Erik Compton.
He's rated a 13/2 shot by Bet365. Let's take a closer look at his record at Colonial and what he said after the round.
Garcia at Colonial
Typical Sergio.
Keep an eye on what he does on Friday because he's just 2-for-9 at going sub-70 in round two and four times he's needed at least 73 blows (you could oppose him at Bet365 with a round two match-up against Jason Kokrak priced 20/23).
As you might expect from such a fine ball-striker, he's had good Greens in Regulations numbers here in the past and the 77.8% he hit in round one is on par with the year he won.
Spieth the big threat
Spieth is 7/4 favourite with Bet365 and for good reason.
Bogey-free 63 in the opening round at Colonial for @JordanSpieth.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) May 27, 2021
Spieth is a now a combined 80-under-par at @CSChallengeFW since 2013, 45 strokes better than any other player in that span.
Garcia on his 63
"Great round. I'm not going to lie, conditions weren't easy, obviously because of the rain, the course wasn't too firm, even though it firmed up nicely between yesterday and today.
"It was quite breezy, gusty, so it wasn't easy to pull some of the clubs. There were some tough holes out there, but I was able to hit really good shots on those holes, and a couple up-and-downs when I needed them, so very happy with the way it went."
Hole out for eagle on 11 🦅 Quite breezy today but played well on some of the toughest holes and made shots where I needed them. Onto round 2! @CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/CulYAyYyup
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) May 28, 2021