Monday 10 April 2017 02:28, UK
Paul McGinley praises Sergio Garcia after claiming a maiden major success at the Masters and looks back at Rory McIlroy's performance at Augusta
I can't tell you how happy I am for Sergio Garcia. I have an emotional attachment to him and Justin Rose and I know it means so much to Sergio to get a first major.
He won in Dubai just like Danny Willett did last year, has had a good start to the season and that has culminated now with his first major and the Green Jacket.
He has been one per cent away from being a major champion and it hadn't happened up until now. It was great to see so such passion from him during that round.
Rose opened the door in the play-off by hitting it heavily in the trees. We talk about the to-and-fro's and the psychology of match play, but he gave the initiative to Sergio there.
All credit to Garcia, as he took advantage of it and was a deserved winner. He played fantastically, as did Rose, but there has to be a winner and there can only be one.
Let's not forget how great this is for European golf. We had Willett winning last year and had two of our top players going head-to-head this time around. With Thomas Pieters and Jon Rahm coming up in the rear-view mirror, the future's very bright.
If I'm being honest, Rory McIlroy hasn't played well this week - that's the bottom line. He putted OK, but hasn't played well.
The first two days he drove the ball terribly and his greens in regulation were way down in the bottom 10 per cent of the whole field.
He played a bit better on Saturday, but it just didn't come together for him. He finished seventh and wasn't far away, so can get ready for coming back next year and trying to complete that Grand Slam by winning the Masters.
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