A sign of things to come: Garcia over Toms on Sunday

From the record-tying first round by Canadian Mike Weir to the playoff battle pitting eventual winner Sergio Garcia against David Toms, the Mercedes Championships provided, as it usually does, a sign of things to come the rest of the year.

Both Garcia and Toms had stellar seasons in 2001, but they also came into the new year needing to validate their performance from last year. Because the two had career years last season, Garcia and Toms will be under pressure to prove their showings in 2001 were no fluke.

But if anybody needs such substantiation, it’s Toms, who won three times including a major and made his first Ryder Cup team in 2001. Judging by the way he started this year (although it may be too early to tell), a similar or a better season is in order for the Louisiana native. The only way to top last year would be to win more and possibly another major. With his confidence running high since the PGA Championship, Toms could well capture another major.

Garcia had his first two career PGA Tour victories in 2001. Of all the so-called “Young Guns” allegedly challenging Tiger Woods—mostly through media—Garica is the only golfer with more than one PGA Tour win and more than one top-10 at major championships. At mere 22, the sky is the limit for the young Spaniard affectionately known as El Niño. Garcia will probably not be where Woods is by age 26—then again, who will be?—but at this rate, Sergio should be considered a threat at all the big events.

Garcia made a much anticipated debut in 1999 season and left a good impression with four top-10s in just nine events, including runner-up to Tiger at the memorable PGA Championship. The following season was not as spectacular, by his standards, as Garcia, in 16 tournaments, recorded only four top-10s, all of which came after June.

He went through two caddies in merely five months, and some of his public behaviour (arguing with officials and throwing one of his shoes, etc) drew ire of fans and observers alike. But Garcia grew more mature amid controversy and criticism, learning from mistakes he made as a kid who might have been rushed to the pro ranks.

In a way, 2001 season was a sweet vindication for Garcia, who had been (and still is being) questioned about his funky downswing and the ability of the only coach he’d ever known, his father Victor. By winning two events and contending at the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, the Garcias proved Sergio’s swing would hold up against the world’s best golfers. By year’s end, Garcia had broken into top-10 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

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