Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Garcia ends optimistic, Monty downcast

Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie ended the European Open in contrasting form Sunday.

Garcia's closing 70 allowed him to look to the future with some optimism, but Montgomerie's 75 after a triple bogey at the last left him wondering where his game has gone.

Garcia finally mastered the 10th and 18th holes, where he was 10-over through three rounds. He made par-4s on both of them Sunday in a round that lifted him into the top-20.

"I played well, not much better than before, but the difference was that 10 and 18 were better today," Garcia said.

"Maybe the wind on 18 today was helping a touch. The last three holes were similar to yesterday, even with less wind. But you still need fantastic shots to par them," he said.

Garcia, second last year after a closing 66 in bad weather, said earlier in the week his game has suffered from his breakup with Greg Norman's daughter Morgan-Leigh in March.

But he was able to keep his mind on his work Sunday.

"My concentration was good, except for a few shots here and there," Garcia said. "I'm definitely feeling better about my game. I'm working hard with my Dad on the downswing, but there are a couple things I still have to sort out."

He'll have a week off, then play at Memphis back on the U.S. Tour.

Montgomerie was downcast after a five-week run that began with two missed cuts followed by finishes of 41st, 35th and 58th.

"I played awful again. Another week, another awful tournament," said Europe's Ryder Cup captain, whose recent efforts have been marred by dropping shots late in the round.

On Sunday he birdied 15 and 16, then parred 17.

"I was just waiting for a mistake and it happened, a seven at the last," he said. "I'm struggling with everything. I have no confidence at all."

As Europe's Ryder Cup captain Monty has duties to perform. "There's a lot of stuff going on. Golf is secondary right now. It might help my golf, take my mind off it. It's a very busy time. I just wish my golf was better."

No comments:

Post a Comment