Sergio Garcia effectively claimed a place in this year's Ryder Cup team by capturing top prize of Stg£166,660 in the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen yesterday. In the process, the 19-year-old became the fourth-youngest winner of a European Tour event, 55 days behind his illustrious compatriot, Seve Ballesteros.
Performing like a born champion, Garcia shot a final round of 64 for a best-ever aggregate of 268 at this venue. And a closing birdie gave him a three-stroke winning margin over Argentinian rival and playing partner Angel Cabrera.
"I was waiting for this time," said Garcia with the impetuosity of youth. "I said earlier in the year that, with a good week, I was able to win one tournament. And I've been playing good in all the tournaments. Now my week has arrived."
In fact, it took him 10 weeks as a professional to achieve this breakthrough, compared with six for Tiger Woods in 1996.
Garcia made his professional debut in the Spanish Open, and yesterday's triumph was witnessed by his father, Victor, the club professional at Club de Mediterraneo on the outskirts of their native city of Castillon. Closer at hand, his victory surge was guided by veteran American caddie Jerry Higginbotham, who was with Mark O'Meara for US Masters and British Open triumphs last season.
Twelve months ago, Garcia played the Irish Open as an amateur on a sponsor's invitation and shot a final round of 81 for a share of 60th place behind David Carter. Now, he is making good on the expansive predictions Ballesteros has made about him.
"Sergio has everything that a champion needs," said the one who knows. "He is the best player of his age I have seen. More than anything else, he has the attitude to play out there and be successful. He plays to win."
The merit of his Ryder Cup aspirations was endorsed yesterday by no less a figure than Colin Montgomerie, Europe's leading player for the last six years. As he put it: "I said at the start of this year that they should put Sergio into the Ryder Cup team and let him play with Olazabal. Need I say more?"
Eamonn Darcy, who staged a worthy home challenge by finishing in a share of fourth place, also enthused over Garcia's skills. But he insisted: "I believe he should have to play his way into the Ryder Cup team."
For his part, Garcia is content to be a willing candidate. "To get into the team from the points table, I would probably have to win one more tournament, and that's really difficult," he said. "If you are asking should I be picked, that is a question for Mark James (the European skipper). I am playing well. If I can help the team I would love to play there, but it's a long time until September."
Meanwhile, his progress through the championship was of a player increasing with confidence in every round. From a share of 12th position at the halfway stage on Friday evening, he moved to a share of second place on Saturday. And all the while he was achieving a downward progression of 69, 68 and 67, before securing the title with a sparkling 64.
As it happened, this was only the second-best score of a thrilling day. The best was a course-record equalling 62 from Garcia's friend, Miguel-Angel Martin, who shot an Irish Open record of 28 for the front nine.
The pair embraced at the climactic moment, after Garcia had sunk yet another birdie putt. "My putter was unbelievable - I haven't putted like this in all my life," he said, referring to a succession of huge putts which found the target, right up to a 45-footer for a birdie at the short 12th.
In the list of the seven youngest players to win on the European Tour, it is interesting to note the inclusion of three Spaniards. Yet the youngest of all was a South African who won in Spain. The full list is: 18 yrs 290 days - Dale Hayes (South Africa) 1971 Spanish Open; 19 yrs 121 days - Seve Ballesteros, 1976 Dutch Open; 19 yrs 149 days - Paul Way (England) 1982 Dutch Open; 19 yrs 176 days - Garcia; 20 yrs 97 days - Bernard Gallacher (Scotland) 1969 PGA Championship; 20 yrs 217 days - Jose-Maria Olazabal, 1986 Swiss Open; 20 yrs 305 days - Peter Baker (England) 1988 Benson and Hedges International.
And what did he think of the notion of matching Ballesteros's glittering career? "I am just 19 and I have a lot of things to do to be like him," he replied. "I am just going to do out there to try and win again."
Which nobody doubts he will - many more times.
