Yet the mere simplicity of that sentence does not begin to do the occasion, or the gripping duel, justice. He saluted his childhood hero afterwards, and the Seve Ballesteros Foundation suggested the legend would be watching. "I've had so many good chances, and either I lost them or someone has done something extraordinary to beat me". But as he pointed out in humour, all that "if only" wondering is finally at an end.
Now that Garcia, at age 37, was able to exorcise the demons so many of us questioned he ever would or could, those players still seeking a first major can cling to a renewed hope: If Garcia could do it, with all the baggage he accumulated over the years, so can they.
Fellow Spaniard, victor of 14 grand slam tennis titles and sometime golf partner, Rafael Nadal was gripped by the drama at Augusta, saying: "Very exciting after so many years struggling so much! We've been talking about it and it hasn't been decided yet, but it's a big possibility", Garcia said.
"Could I have made the putt on 17?"
"I feel bad I went so downhill while Rickie was still in it there, because it is tough when you don't see a ball go in the hole", said Spieth. I thought, OK. So just hit it right on the right edge.
Paul Casey completed another fine tournament at Augusta in sixth spot, while Rory McIlroy was forced to settle for seventh place after failing to get himself into title contention. I've been kind of accepting, too, that if it for whatever reason didn't happen, my life is still going to go on. But it never felt like a horror movie.
Aaron Hernandez acquitted of double homicide in Boston
Prosecutors attempted to connect an incident earlier that night where de Abreu accidentally spilled a drink on Hernandez. The district attorney says there's "some consolation" that Hernandez will remain behind bars regardless.
While Garcia was always fun to watch over the next 18 years, the most he had to show for it was winning the Players Tournament and some strong starts in the majors that faded on the weekend as critics called him a choker. "Seve did come into my mind today", he said. You know, for me, golf is about April to September. Kuchar finished tied for third at the Masters in 2012, tied for eighth in 2013 and tied for fifth in 2014. How much it means to me. "Yeah. Pretty much screaming if I remember correctly, I was screaming "yes" in Spanish, "Si" and "vamos" but it was just constant screaming", Garcia said of his winning moment.
Garcia is getting married this year to his fiancée, Angela Akins, and he gave credit to her influence.
"It's certainly not been the golf that I wanted".
"Nobody deserved it more than you do", Rose told Garcia on the 18th green. "He deserves it", Rose said. I'm very committed to working hard on the game, and get past a little bit of a lull in my results the last couple of years. So I have plenty more looks, and I feel good about it happening. And I'm glad it was because of what all the things that happened throughout my career.
"It was a great battle with Sergio all day", Rose said.
"He deserves it. He's had his fair share of heartbreak".
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