Sergio Garcia – encore in Qatar?

Edited by Anand Datla

Defending champion Sergio Garcia is intent on continuing his remarkable success story in this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.  Speaking shortly after title sponsor Commercial Bank had announced a three-year extension to its existing agreement, taking the company’s commitment to the tournament through to 2018, Garcia outlined his affection for an event in which he has finished inside the top ten in each of his last four appearances.

Having pushed Chris Wood all the way in 2013, Garcia went one better 12 months ago courtesy of his epic play-off victory over Finland’s Mikko Ilonen.  Nobody has successfully defended the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters title but, given his impressive record at Doha Golf Club, few would bet against Garcia creating history in the desert this week.

He said: “I want to play as well as I can and put up a good defence of my title. I’ve started my season in Qatar for the last few years, and I always enjoy coming back.  “I came close to winning a few times, so it was nice to get over the line last year. I played really well on the last day to get into the play-off, then had to play really well all over again to beat Mikko. So I have some good memories, and hopefully they can inspire me to have another successful week.”

Garcia will not be the only Spaniard with high hopes of lifting the coveted Mother of Pearl trophy, with Rafa Cabrera-Bello, tied third 12 months ago, and the 2009 champion Alvaro Quiros having also enjoyed success in the $2.5million tournament, which is this week celebrating its 18th edition.

Garcia was at a loss to explain why he and his countrymen seem to feel so at home in Qatar, but the warm weather and arid conditions certainly seem to suit the Tour’s large Spanish contingent.  “I just feel very comfortable here,” said Garcia.

“The weather’s usually great, although it’s a bit breezy today. But it’s meant to warm up later in the week, so I’m looking forward to playing in my short sleeves with the sun on my back and hopefully a smile on my face.”

Indeed, Garcia has plenty to smile about, with an impending wedding to fiancée Katharina Boehm, who has accompanied him to Qatar, in the planning stages.

On the course, Garcia is confident of building on the strong foundations he laid last season; and whilst he does not share Rory McIlroy’s fondness for writing his goals down on the back of a boarding pass, it is clear that happiness in his personal life has led to an increase in focus in his professional life.

He said: “I just try to play the best I can whenever I tee up. You can’t win every week, but as long as I come away feeling I’ve given it my best shot, then I’m happy. I want to keep improving and keep getting more consistent, which I managed last year. If I can build on last season, I should be in for a good year.

“Obviously I’d love to contend in the Majors again, and I do still think I can win one. I played pretty well in The Open last year, and that’s the one I feel I have my best chance of winning – and the one I’d love to win the most. But I’m not greedy, I’d love to win any Major – and hopefully more than one.”

More immediately, Garcia was facing the somewhat less stressful task of leading a trio of Qatari juniors in a challenge match against two teams, led by his Ryder Cup team-mates Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.

“We did it last year, and it worked well,” Garcia recalled. “It’s going to be a challenging day for all of us in the wind, but I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully they’ll have a good time and it’ll help to improve their game. Who knows, we might even learn a few things too!”