2023-06-29 04:33:43
The latest events that have taken place in the world of golf, which have led to a surprise agreement between the American, European and Saudi circuits, have given the LIV Golf, which is being held starting tomorrow at Valderrama, an unexpected role. Since that ‘pact’, it is the first time that the figures have appeared in public and who better than Sergio García to comment on it to questions from ABC.
—What can you say about the new world order that will result from now on?
—Well, I would love to be able to contribute something new, but it is that not all the fringes are closed yet.
—At least, what is clear is that the war between tours is over…
—Right, that’s the most positive thing, that everyone starts rowing towards the same place. I wish I could know that this or that is going to happen, but today nobody knows that. Not even those who have done the merger know it yet; you have to go little by little and as time goes by we will discover how everything is going to be focused.
—Seeing things now from the perspective of a year of disagreements, it may be worth asking if it was worth it to reach such an unpleasant situation of breaking off competitions and friendships. Wouldn’t it have been better to have negotiated from the beginning without falling into so many confrontations?
—I think so, but unfortunately it couldn’t be for whatever. We are not going to start pointing fingers or culprits now, but obviously we would all have liked to reach this agreement a year and a half ago, when we started with this. Unfortunately it couldn’t start like this, but the important thing is to learn from mistakes to try to improve for the future.
—In that immediate future the Ryder Cup in September is now presented. Could we then see him in Rome defending Europe?
-Sincerely I dont know. We will have to see that little by little as everything is solved and things settle down.
—What is clear is that the situation now allows for an optimism that did not exist months ago…
—It is true, that is the most positive thing, that we return more or less to where we were in 2022, before this war. Now the decisions help and the doors are no longer so closed, but it is also true that I have to continue playing well, put everything in line and then everything will depend on what the captain and vice-captains want to do.
—And do you think that a positive solution, again with all the players available on both sides, would benefit Europe or the United States more?
“It’s hard to say. We have several men playing at a very good level, but the Americans are also always very good. Normally they are always the favourites, although later, at the moment of truth, the predictions are thrown away. We will see how the two teams arrive in Italy at the end of September and then how each one plays there.
—With this international context, the LIV Golf arrives in Spain for the first time. What does it mean for you to return to Valderrama with this tournament?
—It’s very pretty, I think it’s something important. It is my favorite course because of what I like and because of how well they have always treated me in the thirty years that I have been playing it. They made me an honorary member with everything that entails, and being able to come this year with the quality of the golfers that accompany me (25 greats together) makes me proud.
“Your results here are impressive. In fourteen professional appearances he has garnered ten top 10 finishes, three of them victories and three runners-up. Why is he also given this tour?
—Well, I don’t know, the truth is that I fell in love from the beginning and I’ve always been good at it. Maybe it’s because it’s varied and makes you think. It is not enough just to hit it hard and long, but you have to know how to place the ball in the right place, give it the right spin and know how to deal well with the trees and the ‘greens’.
—For all that has been said, do you feel the host of this test and the person responsible for showing your teammates the benefits of the club?
—A little yes and I’m sure they won’t be disappointed. I am aware that all the people and institutions involved have given their maximum so that the maintenance is impeccable and the players leave delighted. And the public is going to see a new show that will make them repeat the visit in future editions.
“So do you feel favorite?”
—That can never be said, although I have in my favor the knowledge of the field and that I am in a good moment of play. Playing fewer weeks at LIV Golf has been good for me to be fresher at this point in the season.
How would you rate your campaign?
-I am satisfied. In my circuit I am having good performances, with a team victory in Tucson and an individual runner-up in Singapore. And then, in the ‘majors’, I have played two of the three that have been played, with a good performance in the US Open. What happened is that despite playing quite well, I ended up the worst that could end, just as things turned out.
—The detractors of LIV Golf said that playing less tests would cause their players to lack competitive rhythm that would harm them in the ‘majors’. But at the moment of truth Koepka has won one and has been second in another. How is this explained?
—Because Brooks is a very good player and when you are physically and mentally well, nothing stops you.
Do you also see yourself at that level?
—Obviously yes, we are working on it despite the fact that having to qualify is hard. Since I don’t lose my rings first I’ll go to West Lancashire next week to fight for one of the 16 places to play the British at Royal Liverpool. If I succeed, fine; if not, we will continue fighting for the future.
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