Sergio Garcia returns to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic this week seeking to join an impressive roll call of Spanish winners. The Ryder Cup star has not fared too well at Emirates Golf Club, though, with his best finish tied-11th in 2009.
Spanish domination
In the previous 25 tournaments, there have been five different Spanish victors. Seve Ballesteros began the run in 1992, followed by close friend Jose Maria Olazabal six years later. His compatriots then dominated from 2010 to 2012, with Miguel Angel Jimenez, Alvaro Quiros and Rafa Cabrera-Bello all lifting the giant coffee pot trophy.
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Trying to explain the trend
“I don’t know,” Garcia said. “I’ve got no idea. I think that, for some reason, it’s just one of those things that happens. We’ve had five Spanish winners and it would be nice to make it six this week. So we’ll try to make sure that it also fits my game, too.”
Joining Spain’s honour roll
“Obviously it’s going to take a lot of good things. I feel the field this year is probably the strongest it’s been in the last three or four years. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to take a lot of patience, a lot of good golf and some good things to happen here and there when you need them the most.”
Mastering the Majlis
“I feel like I’ve done well on this course, but I probably haven’t got as much out of it as I should have. I’ve played fairly well, but unfortunately things haven’t happened for me yet. So hopefully I’ll be able to change that this week, have a good week and see if I can be there on Sunday.”
Turning last year’s high finishes into wins
“If you’re constantly up there with a chance of winning or around it, you’re already proving yourself. That’s the main goal again — to keep getting better, to be as consistent as I was last year, which is not easy, but it can be done — and then see what we can do from there.”
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