He finally did it.
After 73 tries at a major championship, Sergio Garcia stood on the 18th green at Augusta National, crouched down, and slammed his fists into the hallowed turf. It wasn't just a win. It was a massive, collective exhale from the entire world of golf. If you followed the sport at all back then, you knew the narrative surrounding Sergio. He was the "best player to never win a major." He was the guy who complained about the luck of the draw, the guy who famously said in 2012 that he wasn't good enough for the big ones, and the guy who seemed destined to be a bridesmaid forever.
Then came April 9, 2017.
It was Seve Ballesteros’ 60th birthday. You can’t make that up. The symbolism was almost too heavy for the leaderboard to carry. Sergio, the fiery Spaniard who grew up idolizing Seve, found himself in a Sunday showdown for the ages against Justin Rose. This wasn't a cakewalk. It was a brutal, psychological back-and-forth that felt more like a Ryder Cup match than a stroke-play tournament.
The Sunday Duel at Augusta National
Entering the final round, Garcia and Rose were tied at 6-under par. Most people expected Sergio to fold. That’s just what the "old" Sergio did. When he pulled two shots ahead early on, we all waited for the other shoe to drop. It did. By the time they reached the back nine, Rose had taken the lead.
The turning point that everyone remembers—or should remember—happened at the par-5 13th, "Azalea." Sergio hooked his drive into the gorse. He had to take a penalty drop. He was staring a bogey or worse in the face while Rose was sitting pretty. At that moment, the win probability for the winner of the 2017 Masters golf tournament looked like it was shifting entirely toward the Englishman. But Sergio scrambled. He saved par. That par was arguably more important than the eagle he would eventually card on the 15th. It showed a mental fortitude that had been missing for two decades.
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Rose didn't blink, though. He stuck it close on 16. Sergio answered. They went to the 18th tied, both missed birdie putts that would have ended it in regulation, and headed back to the 18th tee for a sudden-death playoff.
Breaking the Major Curse
In the playoff, the pressure was suffocating. Rose found the trees. Sergio found the fairway. When Rose couldn't save par, Sergio had two putts for the win. He only needed one. He drained a 12-footer for birdie, and the "best to never win a major" tag was incinerated on the spot.
What made this win so special wasn't just the trophy. It was the redemption. Golf is a lonely sport. When you fail publicly for twenty years, it leaves scars. Sergio had plenty. Seeing him don the Green Jacket—presented by the 2016 champion Danny Willett—felt like a career-capping moment that some thought would never happen. He finished the tournament at 9-under par after 72 holes, matching Rose, before sealing it in the playoff.
Why 2017 Changed the Perception of Sergio Garcia
Before this win, Sergio was often viewed as a petulant talent. He was the kid who did the "scissor kick" at the 18th at Medinah in 1999, pushing Tiger Woods to the limit. But as the years rolled by, that youthful exuberance sometimes turned into frustration.
The 2017 Masters changed that. He proved he could handle the "Amen Corner" pressure. He proved he could beat a peak-form Justin Rose, who was playing some of the best golf of his life. Statistics from that week show just how dominant Garcia’s ball-striking was. He led the field in Greens in Regulation (GIR), hitting over 75% of them. In a game where putting usually wins the Masters, Sergio’s iron play was so precise it overcame his historical struggles with the flat stick.
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The Gear and the Tech Behind the Win
Looking back, the equipment Sergio used that week was a snapshot of a specific era in golf tech. He was playing the TaylorMade M2 driver and the P750 irons. His putter, a Spider Tour Red, became an instant bestseller because of that Sunday performance. It’s funny how a single afternoon can move millions of dollars in merchandise. Amateur golfers everywhere thought if a mallet putter could help Sergio win at Augusta, it could definitely help them stop three-putting at the local muni.
The Legacy of the 2017 Masters
We talk a lot about Tiger’s comeback in 2019, but Sergio’s 2017 victory was a different kind of comeback. It was a comeback against his own reputation. It also marked the last time for a while that the Masters felt like a truly two-man race on Sunday afternoon.
Critics will point out that Sergio’s career post-2017 has been polarizing, especially with his move to LIV Golf. But that doesn't diminish what happened in Georgia that spring. He joined the ranks of Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal as Spanish Masters champions. He proved that the narrative isn't written until the final putt drops.
What You Should Take Away From Sergio’s Win
If you're looking for lessons in Sergio's victory, it's not about the swing. Everyone knows his lag is legendary. It’s about the "short-term memory" required for elite performance.
- Scrambling is King: Sergio’s par on 13 was the save of his life. When things go wrong, minimize the damage.
- Embrace the Pressure: Instead of fighting the nerves, Sergio seemed to finally accept them.
- Respect the History: His nods to Seve throughout the week showed a player who was finally comfortable in his own skin and his place in the game's lineage.
How to Study the 2017 Masters Today
To truly understand the gravity of being the winner of the 2017 Masters golf tournament, you have to watch the highlights of the back nine. Don't just look at the scores. Look at the body language. Look at how Rose and Garcia walked together—there was a genuine mutual respect there that you don't always see in modern sports.
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If you want to improve your own game by watching them, focus on their tempo. Under the highest pressure imaginable, neither player rushed. They stuck to their pre-shot routines religiously.
For those heading to a golf trip or just hitting the range this weekend, try this: record your swing when you're tired. Sergio's swing stayed remarkably consistent even as the physical and emotional toll of the final round peaked. That’s the byproduct of thousands of hours of purposeful practice.
The 2017 Masters wasn't just a golf tournament; it was a 72-hole therapy session for one of the most talented players to ever pick up a club. It reminded us why we watch. We watch for the moments where the guy who "can't win" finally does.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans and Players:
- Analyze the 13th Hole: Watch the "Official Film" of the 2017 Masters on YouTube. Pay specific attention to Garcia's decision-making after his drive on 13. It is a masterclass in course management.
- Ball Striking over Putting: If you're building a fantasy golf lineup or betting, remember Sergio’s 2017 win. He won because he hit more greens than anyone else. Putting is volatile; ball-striking is more sustainable.
- Mindset Shift: Read Sergio's post-round interviews from that week. He talked extensively about his "calmness." It’s a blueprint for any competitive environment, whether it’s a Sunday at Augusta or a high-stakes board meeting.