How Sergio Garcia's Father Victor Helped Guide His Journey From a Young Golfer to a Major Champion

Sergio Garcia has made his journey from a young golfer© NDTV

Sergio Garcia has made his journey from a young golfer in Spain to a Masters winner thanks to his dad Victor. Victor, a golf professional, helped teach the young Sergio about the game, giving him the foundations, and was always pushing him to get better. As a boy, Sergio would go to his local golf club and begin to practise the game. As time went on, Sergio became a champion.

How Has Victor Helped With Sergio's Early Career?

As a young child, Victor helped Sergio pick up golf. When he was just 2 years old he was mimicking his fathers swing with a broomstick. By the age of 3 he was using cut down clubs. Victor was a golf professional at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo en Borriol, Spain.

His mother, Consuelo also worked there meaning Sergio would often go there. This helped Victor give Sergio a solid foundation of skills. He also learned patience, concentration and how to bounce back after a bad shot. At just 12 he won the club championship.

As Sergio progressed into competitive golf, Victor was always there to give advice. In 1995 he became the youngest to make the cut at the Turespaña Open Mediterranea. This year he also won the European Amateur Championship and in 1998 the Amateur Championship.Sergio turned professional in 1999, aged 19. He won his 6th tournament, the Irish Open. Although there was pressure of moving up to the professional level, Victor was there to help him. Even though his relationship with Victor was not always easy as he was both a coach and a father, it was great to have his support.

How Sergio Garcia Finally Won His First Major Championship?

Throughout his career Sergio had many frustrating years at the majors. He came second to Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship and had more near misses. However throughout the years Victor was always supporting him.

On the 9th April 2017 Sergio won his first major! He beat Justin Rose in a playoff at the masters. This date was also very special as it would have been Seve Ballesteros 60th Birthday. This win was all down to Sergio but there was a lot of support behind him. Even though Victor didn't hit the winning shot he helped set his son up for this moment.