Sergio Garcia Wins HSBC, Now Second Only to Tiger Woods in World Rankings

Posted Nov 11, 2008 11:45AM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Golf, PGA

I still contend that Anthony Kim should've won the just-concluded HSBC Champions but those pesky, arcane, imbecilic rules of golf conspired against him. I suspect falling off a horse didn't help, either.

In any case, Sergio Garcia somehow outlasted Oliver Wilson for the victory, and not only did the Spaniard earn a shiny, new trophy, he also moved into the second place in the World Rankings, displacing Phil Mickelson, who tied for eighth at the event.

Garcia, now 28, is probably still best known for his inspiring effort at the 1999 PGA Championship, followed closely by his his stellar Ryder Cup record. Despite currently being the planet's second-best golfer, Garcia has loftier goals. Chief among them: getting out of the "Best Player Never..." club currently chaired by Colin Montgomerie:

García was left fielding questions about where he goes from here. His first task, he said, is to win a major and then to challenge to be the world's best. With Woods recuperating from a serious knee operation, the No. 1 spot could be up for grabs around the time of the Masters if the American does not play between the new year and April.

On a lighter note, García was asked what he was going to do with the prize-money. "I'm just going to try to put it in a bank that doesn't go bankrupt," he said, before being reminded that it was HSBC's money that he was pocketing.

I applaud Mr. Nino for having a plan, although Bacon at Dogs is skeptical.

Whatever, this will probably be his last, best chance to get to No. 1, assuming Woods doesn't just up and quit to build golf courses full time.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-12-2008 @ 1:10AM

nooooch said...

As long as Tiger is playing golf no one should ever be number 1 besides Tiger, how can they talk about him taking over #1 when Tiger isnt even playing. Dont they get it, he's the 2nd best player now because the best player isnt playing so he's always going to be 2nd best or less no ifs ands or buts about it.

11-12-2008 @ 10:06AM

mike said...

Tiger is no.1 and will stay no.1 sergio could never
beat tiger on his best day.

11-12-2008 @ 1:21PM

Scally said...

Mr. Garcia said that he will beat Tiger for the #1 in the world about eight years ago. I'm still looking for it.
May be another 10 years.

11-13-2008 @ 10:23PM

Bing, said...

Lets let Tiger get as well as he thinks he should be for compitation and then let Sergio and tiger meet in match play....

11-15-2008 @ 11:24PM

Fred said...

It is truly sad as yet another golfer comes up through the rankings to get....well not even close to Mr. Woods and what happens they fall apart and drop out of the rankings, Vijay, Phil, Adam and on and on and on. Tiger is going to have some problems coming back but trust him when he says it he will be back and he will further himself from Sergio or whoever is "Number 2" this time. See you at the Masters Tiger. Godspeed.