INTERVIEW
Sergio Garcia
What is the most memorable shot for your career so far? Obviously, t he one in t he 1999 PGA Championship, I always remember that shot. But I am fortunate to have many, like on the 15th at the Augusta National this year. I also have some nice shots in the Ryder Cup. And also, the shot on the 17th in the 2008 Players Championship that I won.
Champion
Louie Chan talks to the Masters champion and Omega Ambassador just before the UBS Hong Kong Open kickstarted. What's your feeling on the course at Fanling after the practice round and Pro-Am? A very nice golf course, not long but difficult. The fairway is narrow, and the green is good, but very fast downhill. You have to be very accurate with your tee shot, and also when you go to the green. Even when you play well but not making the downhill putt, you are going to struggle. How much of your life has changed since winning the Masters? To be honest, it hasn’t changed that much. Obviously, there’s a little more attention on me after winning the Masters. Like the media wants to talk to me a bit more. But other than that, I’m still doing the same thing. I’m still practising the same way, hanging out with friends, playing soccer and tennis. That hasn’t changed a lot. You always remember the great things that have happened. I am very proud and honoured to be a Masters champion. But it doesn’t change me. I am not a better or bigger person than you because I won the Masters. It’s just what I do. Being able to do what you love is great. How would you define your 2017 season? It’s an amazing season, both on and off the golf courses. Personally, it’s been great to get married to my wife and expecting our child. We won’t forget this year for a long long time. We are enjoying as much as we can. 40
HK GOLFER・JAN 2018
HKGOLFER.COM
Sergio Garcia has been Omega's brand ambassador for more than 15 years
Do you want to be a Europe Team Captain someday? It’s too early, and I don’t want to think about this. I hope I can still play for as much time as I can. When the time comes, I may think about it. At the moment, I just want to play. Do you a have a favoruite course in the world? Yes, the Valderrama Royal Club in Andalusia (Sergio just won another European Tour title there in November) and my home course in Spain, Club de Campo del Mediterráneo in Castellon. I also like links courses such as Carnoustie and Muirfield. Tell us about your relationship with Omega? We have been together for about 15 to 16 years now. Pretty much I can say that we have been together for my whole career. It’s been a great relationship with so many things we have gone through together. We have shot some really fun and cool videos. It’s been great to grow next to Omega and to be able to relate to a company with such high quality. Everyone knows the brand worldwide and the quality of their watches. As a golfer who loves to express as much as possible on the golf course, it’s a dream come true to be an Omega Ambassador. What is your favourite Omega model? I like the “Dark Side of the Moon”. I also like the Seamaster I am wearing – Planet HKGOLFER.COM
Garcia in action at the UBS Hong Kong Open Ocean Deep Black. I got this one from a friend in Omega at the week of the Masters. It was a good way to start the week and brought me the luck to win the Masters! I also remember the Michael Schumacher edition Speedmaster, which is also very cool. Watchmaker and Golfer – any similarities? Precision is very important for both of us. Fineness – you can see how beautiful the finishing a watch is. It’s the same thing in golf, fineness around the course and especially the green to save yourself from up and down. Or maybe you are in the trees, and you have to hit a spectacular shot. And I think hardworking is also another similarity. If you want to be a top global company against other competitors in the industry, you have to work hard. The same thing with golf – you need to put the hours to make yourself better. HK GOLFER・JAN 2018
Daniel Wong
Masters
Do you have a favourite playing partner in the Ryder Cup? The Captains always want to listen to your opinion. They would ask you to give your top three choices that you want to play. I got along with everyone, but I said these three guys would fit me the best as playing partner. This is pretty much the way we work at the Ryder Cup. Sometimes the Captain may want me to play with a rookie to make him feel more comfortable as a veteran.
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