PGA Championship Power Rankings: Top ten at Quail Hollow
Sergio Garcia has had the year of a lifetime in 2017. He won the Masters back in April, got married after The Open, and currently sits at No. 5 in the Official World Ranking, some 18 years into his career. This is a guy who’s loving life right now, and that often translates very well on the course.
Moving from winning his first career major in April to his second in August could prove a bit of a challenge for Garcia, but the Spaniard has proven the ability to respond to these challenges frequently throughout his career. He’s been doing it ever since his first trip to the PGA Championship, back in 1999 at Medinah, where he made a heroic shot from the base of a tree on his way to a runner-up finish.
Garcia has been to Quail Hollow relatively recently, playing in the Wells Fargo Championship back in 2013. There, he finished tied for 16th at 3-under par. It’s been forever, but Garcia was the runner up at Quail Hollow back in 2005, when the tournament was known as the Wachovia Championship. Positivity helps, wherever he can draw it from.
Of course, this will be a challenge for Garcia, especially when you look at all the strength at the top of these rankings. Then again, that’s what we all thought back at Augusta, too. Garcia’s game is steady from tee to green, and what could set him apart from the field on Sunday is his experience over the years. He won’t be shaken by the enormity of the moment if he’s in contention down the stretch, and that can’t be downplayed.