Sergio Garcia won the Linde German Masters at Gut Lärchenhof in 1999 with a birdie three on the second hole of a sudden death with Padraig Harrington, after Ian Woosnam had been eliminated at the first extra hole.
Here the 20 year old Spaniard recalls that climax and gives his impressions of playing the excellent Cologne course which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is hosting the Linde German Masters for the third year in a row.
He commented: “It was a very dramatic finish. I had a good chance of winning in regulation as well as play-off. I missed two short putts for birdies on the 17th and 18th then Woosnam missed a really short putt to win the tournament at 18.
“It was a weird play-off. Harrington hit it in the water and I almost did too. We both made long putts for par and Woosnam missed from six feet for par. Then I went and made a really good three at the second play-off hole.
The 18th, at 456 yards, is a tremendous finishing hole, especially from the very back tee, although that is not in play this year. Into the wind, it’s a full driver and a three or four iron to the green with water on the left. It is extremely tough, which is how a final hole should be.”
Garcia shot three rounds in the sixties for an 11 under par total of 277 and added: “I would say that the last two or three holes are very good. The 16th is a par three of 195 yards while the new back tee on the 17th has increased it to 397 yards, but with a really tight drive with water waiting on the right.”
Sergio, happy with his game after several close calls in the United States and having played nine of his last ten rounds in the sixties, rates the par four fifth and sixth on the front nine, which are usually played into a prevailing wind. The addition of a back tee at the 12th has added to the degree of difficulty.
He concluded: “I like this course. As I say the finish is very demanding and the last three holes will surely decide the outcome again on Sunday.”
