Sergio Garcia Seems to Have Found His Happy Place

Prowess at the poker table, talent on the tennis court and killer keepie uppy skills,  we've seen ample evidence of Sergio Garcia's alternate proficiencies.  But as we all know, the sometimes-tempestuous Spaniard plays golf for a living, though there were times these past couple of years, when he appeared to take little pleasure in the game. 

Today however, Señor Garcia seemed ready to handle whatever golf may throw at him as he raced up the leaderboard at Riviera Country Club with a best-of-the-week, seven-under-par 64 that included two eagles.  And... it's looking like the "best player never to win a major" may lose that undistinguished honor before too long.

Sex, Booze & Belly Putters: The Power of Paradoxical Intention

The Belly Putter Trend - Photo via PGA.com

Paradoxical Intent is wonderful technique that you've probably used before... whether you know it or not.

It's a form of mind control that seems counterintuitive at first glance because it relies on ... well... a kind of reverse psychology that you impose on yourself.

P.I. can be applied effectively in myriad situations where negative thoughts or persistent fears repeatedly surface... and result in lack of confidence and poor performance.  Does that sound like golf to you?  It does to me and, I sususpect, to many golfers... both amateur and professional... particularly where it really counts: on the putting green.

Negative thoughts, lack of confidence... both seem to play a part in the current belly putter boom on the PGA and European Tours.

When Adam Scott began transitioning to a belly putter it was about building confidence at a time when his his career seemed stymied by self-fulfilling putting insecurities.  Sergio Garcia, famous for periodic putting struggles, once called his Monza Spider a "safety net"and carried it in his bag along with his more conventional Rossa Monaco.

If the aforementioned golfers had used paradoxical intent, they may have been able to conquer their performance anxieties without reaching for the "long stick".

In a recent article on IrishTimes.com, psychologist and author, Padraig O'Morain described P.I. as a technique where you "pretend to want the thing you fear": 

"So if you have a fear of blushing you actually tell yourself before going to a party that you have every intention of blushing, so much so that you are actually going to light up the room on your own. When you do this, the fear is no longer crippling. It seems to me that this technique is based on not suppressing thoughts but allowing them and, instead, having a laugh at them."

Mr. O'Morain talks about the how technique might be applied to problematic behaviors in that can arise in various areas of our lives, including sex, substance abuse... and golf.

"I'm not going to miss!" Photo: Golf Girl Media

Research has shown that a conscious effort to avoid certain thoughts will almost inevitably lead to increased thinking about those thoughts and if the thought is about a behaviour,  increased likelihood of engaging in that behaviour.

I've always found it strange that my putting... and my game in general... almost always seems to be substantially better when I'm sure it's going to be really bad.   When I feel like I haven't been practicing enough, when I'm playing at a difficult course or simply when I'm feeling a little off... I almost always play well.

In retrospect that's not so strange because, in fact, I'm using paradoxical Intent.  Having resigned myself to playing badly, I'm not obsessing about it... an early mistake doesn't devastate me, an OK shot thrills me and I'm just having fun with it.  In a totally counterintuitive way my "cavalier attitude" quickly leads to increased confidence.  That's the power of Paradoxical Intent and i's definitely something to think about... or not.

Denying your Desires Makes Them Stronger

Sergio Garcia Reclaims Golf's Most Whimsical Trophy

THAT WAS THEN      Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe

It's been a while since Sergio Garcia last hoisted a trophy.

Back in the fall of 2008 when he won the HSBC Champions and ascended to the rank of World Number Two, Sergio seemed poised to fulfill long standing predictions of golf greatness as the planet's top player.  

In reality it was the beginning of a three-year title drought, and an abrupt reversal of fortunes for the tempestuous Spaniard.

Shortly before HSBC, there had been a win at the first ever Castello Masters... an especially meaningful win because Señor Garcia actually hosts this tournament, at his home course, surrounded by friends and family.

At that time we were introduced to the Castello Masters' decidedly unusual trophy.  It looks like... well... some have suggested Mr. Potato Head, and frankly, I've got to agree. With a golf club in hand and a hat that looks like something Bill Murray might put on for the Pebble Beach ProAm, the effigy does resemble that tuberous toy we all had so much fun with as kids.  In other words, it's adorable. And in October of 20008 El Niño was the first to win it.

THIS IS NOW               Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe

Fast forward three years. Today a more mature Sergio Garcia has reclaimed the sirenic statuette, winning the Castello Masters winning by 11 strokes on a course he first concquored as a child. A year ago it was 17 year old, Matteo Manneserro who took home the trophy, becomming the youngest to ever win a European Tour event,  and in 2009 Sweden's Michael Jonzon broke a daunting 12 year drought, at this event and earned a "thumbs up" when he kissed the cute trophey... on the lips.

Sergio seems to have saved his kisses for girlfriend, Nicole Horrex,  however there's little doubt that the hugely talented player was very pleased to be reunited with the whimsical Castello Masters mascot.

If you like Sergio you may enjoy these posts:

Much Maligned Mr. Garcia Wins the Players and Praise
Golf Gossip: Sexy Sergio Flying Solo at Valhalla
The Saturday Sergio Sat on the Sidelines
Sergio Garcia - Masters '09 Status: It's Complicated
Sergio Garcia - A Tempestuous Golfer Explained
Sergio Garcia's Milestone Birthday Signals Maturity
Sergio Garcia's Haircut Gets Mixed Reviews
Masters Tradition: My Pic is Sergio Garcia (video)

Sergio Garcia In An Awesome Omega Olympics Ad

Sergio Garcia in a gorgeous setting... what more could one ask for on dismal Monday?

Thanks to my German friends at Hook & Slice, I discovered this breathtaking video earlier today. It's from watch maker ...and global golf sponsor... Omega and it promotes the 2016 Olympics.  As most know by now the games will be held in Rio in 2016 and will include golf for the first in over a century.   

In other Sergio news, guess who now holds the PGA Tour's three-putt-avoidance record?  Well, that would be El Niño at 131 consecutive holes, which is almost as impressive as his tee shot in this video.

China Panda-monium: Sergio Garcia, Cute & Cuddly

I'm a huge fan of Sergio Garcia ... and a huge fan of baby Panda bears.  So when sexy Señor Garcia met cute and cuddly, Ya Yun yesterday... at the Chendu Panda Base Breeding center in Chengdu, China...  it was definitely a photo-op that piqued my interest.

Sergio is in China's Sichuan Province for the Volvo China Open which takes place this week at Luxehills International Country Club.

Garcia's one-time nemesis, Padraig Harrington, also paid a visit to the Pandas, and he too will be in the field along with defending champion Y. E. Yang, and 2010 Ryder Cup Champion, Colin Montgomerie.

It might be Chinese star Liang Wen-Chong who has the biggest advantage, however.  The most recent of his 17 career wins came less than a year ago at the Luxehills Chengdu Open... on the same course that's hosting this week's  event. ----->

They say Pandas bring good luck though, and Ya Yun is clearly smitten with Sergio. So the swarthy Spaniard may well be celebrating his second Middle Kingdom win come Sunday.  As I understand it, Golf Channel will provide coverage Thursday - Sunday from 9:00AM - 12:30AM, ET.

In the meantime I wouldn't be at all surprised to find Sergio, playing some Panda Golf.

Photo: Ian Walton/Getty Images AsiaPac

Promising Woods-Garcia Pairing Ends in Mutual Meltdown

 Going into the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, anything seemed possible.

Golf fans pondered potential outcomes and social networks buzzed with hopeful speculation... on one pairing in particular.  

Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia have a shared history. Theirs is a rivalry that began at the PGA Championship in 1999 and, though it never quite played the way golf fans would have wished,  certainly made the sport more compelling during the first decade of this century. 

As we all know, the past couple of years haven't been kind to either of these men: injuries and personal issues have plagued both... to the extent that when their final round pairing was announced yesterday, many saw the possibility of a come-back battle between the beleaguered champions.  In my mind I naively took the narrative even further, imagining a brilliant duel in the desert sun, possibly ending in a playoff.  And no matter which of the two won,  a resurgence of the Woods-Garcia rivalry would ensue, and the 2011 season would be a series of thrilling, fourth round face-offs.

Ultimately, my little fantasy was just that: a fairytale that went awry when both players flamed out in the final round.  Golf.com contributor Paul Manhoney who followed the pairing at Emirates Golf Club, described a joyless round where certain elements of the old rivalry may have actually played a part in the day's disappointing results from Tiger and Sergio.

However, there definitely was a silver lining,  a rather big silver lining, and it came in the form of 6ft. 3in. Alvaro Quiros.  The quixotic Señor Quiros kept excitement at peak levels as he battled with Denmark's Anders Hansen, losing and regaining the lead more than once, while he wove together a nerve-racking round featuring an eagle, an ace and a triple bogey.  Fans on Twitter were clearly energized by the volatile contest.  A number of spectators on the scene were tweeting the action as it happened, which was great for those of us who couldn't watch it live.

In the end it was a great tournament and judging from the Twitter buzz, it generated a lot of interest in the UAE as a golf destination.  What ever one thinks of Tiger or Sergio I'm quite sure most golf fans would like to see them winning again.  In the meantime, the Dubai Desert Classic has a charismatic champion in Alvaro Quiros.

The Top 10 Sexiest Men in Golf... As Per Me

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Sexiness is subjective... no doubt about it... and that's what inspired me to create this post.

You see, earlier this week I happened upon a Top 10 Sexiest list by funny and talented Jen McAutry, posting at ChicagoNow's Staying on Course blog. and while her selection included some of the most... universally lusted after admired players,  I quickly realized that they weren't... for the most part... the guys I'd choose.

Jen listed her criteria as: Looks, Success, Coolness, Looks, Charm, Body... and Looks.  And the thing is, those are my criteria too... well... sort of.  Actually, I guess it depends on how you define those qualities.  In any case Jen presents some very compelling arguments for her picks.  Adam Scott for example, is described as "not just the sexiest man in golf pants but the SEXIEST MAN IN OR OUT OF ANY PANTS'... and I know a great many ladies (and at least a few gentlemen) who wouldn't argue with that. 

Now my list might be a bit less conventional... but hey: "les goûts et les couleurs, ça ne se discute pas"... in other words, "different strokes for different folks".  On that happy note, here's my selection:

(click -> to advance the slides)

1.Tiger Woods - Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe

2. Sergio Garcia - Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Europe

3.Angel Cabrera - Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America

4.Rickie Fowler - Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America

5.Vijay Singh - Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images North America

6. John Daly - Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images Europe

7.Ryo Ishikawa - Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America

8.Tim Clark - Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America

9. Alvaro Quiros - Photo by Ross Kinnaird_Getty Images Europe

10. Martin Kaymer - Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship -Photo by Scott Halleran_Getty Images Europe

Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia Plays Poker in Paradise

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While the 2011 PGA Tour season began Thursday with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions on the paradisical Plantation Course at Kapalua, another kind of Paradise was in the cards for Sergio Garcia.

The field in Hawaii was limited to 2010 PGA Tour winners, so Señor Garcia didn't qualify, however the spirited Spaniard did qualify for a different sort of tournament... a poker tournament.

The popular professional golfer... still affectionately referred to as El Niño... got ready to celebrate his 31st birthday yesterday at the Atlantis Resort and Casino on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, by playing Texas Hold'em at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure .

Garcia, who in 2008 was ranked second in the world, has had some well-documented... um... issues with golf of late, culminating in a two month hiatus from the sport last fall.

Well, it seems he may have spent some of his self-imposed sabbatical honing his poker skills, because at Atlantis,  he was one of 28 players who won their way into day 1A of the Main Event.



"It is good fun and it is all a learning process for me" Sergio explained to CardPlayer 's Ryan Lucchesi when he was eliminated at the end of level 4.  And he made it quite clear that this foray into the world of high stakes poker did not signal career change when he added, "I know what I do for a living and that is playing golf. I don’t forget that."

Photo via CardPlayer.com
Video via PokerNews.com

Australian Masters - Sergio Garcia Girlfriend/Golf Update

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Sergio Garcia experienced quite a reversal of fortunes on the golf course yesterday.  A rain-soaked third round at Australian Masters resulted in a six-over 77, mirroring... and effectively nullifying... his six-under of Friday.

Hopefully what's happening off the course (romantically speaking) will be enough to erase all images of the inauspicious, water-logged round.

So... here's what I found out about the brunette beauty whose been seen on the Spaniard's arm these past several days:  Her name is Silvia.  Silvia... get this... Garcia.  - Yes, I know... if she happens to marry El Nino, she won't even have to change the name on her drivers licence... nor will she need to replace her monogrammed hand towels.

Anyway,  word has it she's studying for a Masters in Art and lives in the US.  And she's supposedly been dating Sergio for several months.  And... well...  that's about all I know as yet.

According to heraldsun.com sport's columnist Ron Reed, El Nino became increasingly testy as the ill-fated round progressed, and took off immediately after signing his card:

Garcia emerged from the scorer's hut saying, "I'm freezing", ignoring would-be interviewers and autograph hunters, and was in a courtesy car and on the way to somewhere warmer and drier barely a minute later. No other comment on his day was necessary.

Let's hope Silvia was waiting in the courtesy car, ready to help her sodden sweetheart forget about his hard day at the office.

Sergio Garcia - A Bogey Free Round & A Beautiful New Girlfriend

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Sergio is smiling again  ... and it's the exuberant, unrestrained smile we haven't seen on Señor Garcia for well over a year.

But, it was clearly back today at the The Australian Masters.  So much so that all my Aussie friends were talking about it. ~ They were also talking about his bogey-free round... and his gorgeous new girlfriend.

Round One... it has to be said... wasn't a great one for El Nino.  To the extent that, immediately after it, my friend Imre wrote, "the most excitement Sergio Garcia (+4) generated centered on his girlfriend, who strolled the fairways"

Well yes, as you can imagine, I was extremely mildly curious.   So I started looking around.  Before I got too far however, another friend, David Williams from Willow Golf, sent me some photos he'd taken, including the one at left... which certainly qualifies as cute.

I haven't found any additional details on the beautiful brunette yet, however as soon as I do I'll share them with you, and in the mean time, you can find another photo or two of her, in a more formal setting here.

Meanwhile Sergio's bogey-free 6-under 65... in brutal, ultra-windy conditions... was his lowest score this year and has him in contention as the weekend begins.

It alsp indicates to me that this sexy new "partner" may be just what the struggling Spaniard needed.