Garcia’s feeling good about the season

By Special Arrangement with The Augusta Chronicle

David Westin

April5, 2014: There is lightness in Sergio Garcia’s step that hasn’t been there in a while. It could translate into a serious run at becoming the third Spaniard to win the Masters Tournament.

Garcia is “feeling good, happy and enjoying what I do,” which has led to what he calls a “beautiful start” to the season.

He’s thrilled to have a young nephew and a new girlfriend, Katharina Boehm, a German who played golf at College of Charleston.

“The people I have around me make things easier for me,” Garcia said.

“When things off the golf course are on good terms, it is a little easier to concentrate when you don’t have too many things in your head,” Garcia said. “I am very fortunate with Kati (Boehm) and with my family and all those around me, so it’s great to be playing well and to be in this winning situation with the goal now to keep improving.”

In his first four starts this year, Garcia had a win at Qatar and a runner-up finish.

“I still feel like I can do better, and that is the goal,” Garcia said.

He’s had a turbulent relationship with Augusta National Golf Club, which he says is “probably not my most favorite place.”

In 15 Masters starts, Garcia has had some low rounds (seven in the 60s, including two 66s) and high ones (a 79 and four 78s). His best finish has been a tie for fourth in 2004.

With his personal life in good shape, he might be able to contend for his first green jacket. If he were to win, it would be the fifth Masters victory by a Spaniard. The late Seve Ballesteros won it in 1980 and 1983 and Jose Maria Olazabal won it in 1994 and 1999.

In mid-December, Garcia won for the first time in a year, taking the Asian Tour’s Thailand Golf Championship by beating red-hot Henrik Stenson.

At last year’s Masters, it didn’t take Garcia long to show that he’d come to play. Garcia tied for the first-round lead with 66. He followed that with rounds of 76-73-70 and finished tied for eighth.