Sergio Garcia of Spain celebrates a victory with the trophy and his family. (Getty)
Sergio Garcia is just 18 holes of solid play away from his first-ever major tournament championship.
And it would be at one of the most prestigious major championships of them all in the 2017 Masters Tournament.
Garcia sits tied with Justin Rose at 6-under for through the first three rounds with just one to play.
Garcia, 37, was born in Spain in 1980 before his family moved to the United States. He’s the second of three kids, all of whom play or have played the sport. His father has coached each of his children throughout their lifetime, with Sergio undoubtedly being the most successful of them all.
Here’s what you need to know about the Garcia family:
1. Sergio Is Coached by His Father, Victor, Sr.
Sergio Garcia of Spain, right, is watched by his father Victor Garcia. (Getty)
It’s not much surprise that Sergio found his groove in golf and turned professional; he had a great source of influence from his birth.
Through all the years, Sergio has been coached by his father and successful golfer, Victor Sr. That all started when he was a child growing up in the Spanish town of Borriol.
When Sergio was born, Victor Sr. was the club pro at the Mediterraneo Golf Club. Though when he was growing up, the elder Garcia was a caddy and had to sneak onto the course early in the morning before the rest of the club’s staff arrived so that he could play.
Shortly after, Victor Sr. played on the European Tour during the 1970s, but was unable to find success.
When Sergio was just 2-years old, he tried to replicate his father’s golf swing with a broom. He got his very first set of clubs when he was just 3-years old, and his love for golf hasn’t been diminished since.
When he was still a child, he often practiced by himself at the course and was known to play members for bottles of Coca Cola. When he was 10, he broke 80 for his very first time and his father helped to master his game from there. He was the one to teach Sergio his unorthodox swing when he was a teen.
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Through the twists and turns that the the golf game has had to offer, Sergio’s father has always remained at his side, acting as his swing coach.
In addition to assisting Sergio with his swing, Victor Sr. is a coach for IMPACT Point.
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2. Sergio’s Sister Mar Has Found Success Playing Golf
Sergio Garcia of Spain caddying for his father Victor with his sister Mar who is caddying for Emilio Rodriguez during a tournament. (Getty)
The story for Sergio’s younger sister, Mar Garcia-Fernandez, isn’t too much different. She’s also a good golfer and has many years of playing competitively.
Similar to her older brother, Mar has been coached by her father, Victor Sr. She played collegiate golf at the University of Arizona in the early 2000s and was a key component of the Wildcats’ team.
Before going to Arizona, she graduated from a high school in Spain in 2001 and was the star player on the golf team.
Mar won the Spanish Junior golf tournament for the 21-and-under age group when she was just 15-years old. She’s also competed in numerous tournaments with her brother, including the 2001 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
She is married to Pablo Hernandez and has a son that also looks as if he will be a good golfer.
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3. Sergio’s Older Brother Played Collegiate Golf On a Scholarship
Sergio Garcia of Spain is congratulated by his brother, Victor Garcia after winning a tournament. (Getty)
Sergio’s older brother, Victor Jr. was the first Garcia to get coached by their father and pursue a career.
Like Sergio did, Victor Jr. hit a stride with his golf game at a young age and only got better with more practice and his mentor, Victor Sr. He went to college on a golf scholarship at Francis Marion University in South Carolina and his consistent play made him one of the team’s best players.
Sergio, his brother and sister all competed against each other when they were children — and even as adults — on the golf course and at home. In an interview with People, the Garcias’ mother, Consuelo, said she thought that Sergio missed being at home occasionally when he just started playing on the PGA Tour. Not just because of the relaxation of being at home, either.
“I think Sergio misses his home comforts and home cooking,” she told the magazine. “And I think he enjoys a friendly fight with his brother and sister.”
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4. Sergio’s Mother Gave Birth to Him At a Club House
Sergio Garcia is comforted by his mother a tournament in 1999. (Getty)
Sergio’s mom, Consuelo, ran the same pro shop her husband was employed at. It’s the same place her water broke prior to Sergio’s birth.
She reportedly went into labor at the pro shop when she was pregnant with Sergio.
Consuelo has always been there for her kids, especially Sergio when he was in need of compassion.
After playing poorly at the British Open and the Buick Open, Sergio couldn’t handle it anymore and cried on the shoulder of Consuelo, who welcomed him with open arms.
Once Sergio established a solid professional golf career, he created Sergio’s Foundation, a charity that helps those less fortunate through initiatives not only in Spain, but around the world. The foundation is run by Consuelo and has raised millions of dollars since its inception in 2002.
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5. Sergio Is Married to Angela Akins
Sergio Garcia and his fiancee, Angela Akins. (Twitter)
Sergio is engaged to Angela Ankins, a reporter for the Golf Channel. The two got engaged in January 2017 and planned to get married by the end of the year.
Akins and Garcia started dating at the end of 2015. In an interview with Bunkered, he said that his off-the-course life has really helped his performance.
“It definitely helps,” Garcia told the site. “Every little thing that adds up is always good. When things are lined up nicely in your life outside of the game, your mind is calmer, you’re happier and those things are always good.”
When the two eventually tie the knot, Garcia will be Ankins’ second husband, after being previously married to former golfer Ross Hamann.
Notably, Ankins’ cousin in New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Similar to Sergio, she golfed a lot as well, winning 10 tournaments in high school.
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Chris Bucher is a sports, politics and general news contributor to Heavy. A University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduate, Bucher is the business editor at The Waukesha Freeman and the former sports assistant editor. You can follow him on Twitter @Buchage and reach him at chris.bucher@heavy.com.April 8, 2017 9:08 pm
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