Sergio Garcia made a winning start to the new season after securing a five-shot victory in the SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club.
The 38-year-old Masters champion played 27 holes without dropping a shot in the weather-hit tournament on Sunday and showed his class as he pulled clear of the field to finish on 14 under par.
After storm delays on the first three days, the players returned to the course early on Sunday to complete their third rounds. Garcia stood at seven under after nine holes of his third round, two shots behind Thai joint-leaders Chapchai Nirat and Danthai Boonma.
The world No 10 clearly found the early-morning conditions to his liking as he started out with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th. He added further birdies at the two par threes – 14 and 17 – to post a five-under 66, which put him one stroke ahead of Nirat and Boonma on 11 under going into the final round.
Garcia took a firm grip on the tournament by kicking off his fourth round with a birdie. And back-to-back gains at the seventh and eighth then put daylight between the Spaniard and the field, and he was able to coast to his 33rd professional victory with 10 straight pars from the ninth for a closing 68.
“I played nicely, but it wasn’t easy,” said Garcia, who was using a new Callaway Rogue driver and fairway woods following his switch to the brand from TaylorMade in the off-season. “There were some very challenging holes, but I played very well, and then was just steady on the back nine to make sure I wasn’t making any bogeys. It was a great week overall. You still need to hit a lot of good shots to do well here and I was able to do that. Hopefully I can ride on this momentum.”
Boonma, whose hopes of victory disappeared after a double bogey at the third and back-to-back bogeys at the eighth and ninth in his 73, had to settle for a share of fourth place with fellow Thai Jazz Janewattananond on eight under. The duo had the consolation of earning a place in the 147th Open at Carnoustie in July, along with American Sean Crocker, who tied for sixth place with Australia’s Cameron Davis and Lucas Herbert.
What’s in the Winner’s Bag – Sergio Garcia
Driver: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero (9°)
Fairway Woods: Callaway Rogue 3+ (13.5°), Rogue Sub Zero (18°)
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro ’16 (3-4), Callaway Apex MB ’18 (5-9)
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (48°, 54°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Azalea
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X