Sergio Garcia carded a 7-under 63 to capture a double victory Sunday at LIV Golf Hong Kong, winning both the individual and team titles.
In a three-way tie for the lead entering the final round, Garcia started fast with an eagle on the 551-yard No. 3, recorded four consecutive birdies on Nos. 8 through 11 and added a birdie on No. 16 to finish the tournament at 18-under 192.
His co-leaders couldn’t keep pace with Garcia at Hong Kong Golf Club. Paul Casey of England shot a 69 to finish in fifth place at 12 under while Peter Uihlein’s 70 left him in a tie for sixth, seven strokes behind Garcia.
South Africa’s Dean Burmester had the round of the day, firing a 62 to move into second place at 15 under. Phil Mickelson shot a 64 to finish third, four shots behind Garcia, and stand on his first podium as a LIV member.
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A 64 from Lucas Herbert of Australia put him in fourth place, five strokes behind Garcia.
Approaching the 18th green, Garcia had a big individual lead but needed to par the hole to stave off a playoff with Stinger GC in the team competition. Staring down what he called an “easy 55-footer down the hill,” he left his putt close to the hole, tapping in for a birdie and the team win at 37 under.
It was the sixth LIV Golf team title for the Fireballs, who won last week in Adelaide, Australia.
“It was nice to see not only that I was doing well and leading the tournament, but my teammates were playing great,” said Garcia, whose teammate Abraham Ancer took the individual championship in Adelaide. “They were keeping us there with a chance to win. Obviously when you can pull the double, it’s a lot sweeter than if it’s just one of them. Very proud of them.”
Garcia seemed to cherish the latest win with his team, which includes fellow Spaniards David Puig and Luis Masaveu as well as Ancer of Mexico. At 45, Garcia has assumed the role as elder statesman of golf in Spain, serving as a mentor in the way Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal did for him as a youngster.
“It’s fun,” Garcia said. “I really love this format. I really love the team aspect of it and trying to put my arm around them and give them advice if they need it or if they want it and try to help them be the best version of themselves on another golf course.”
Another veteran, the 54-year-old Mickelson, said he feels good about his game heading into next month’s Masters.
“The fact is I’m hitting a lot of good shots, I’m playing some good golf,” said Mickelson, who has won three green jackets at the Masters. “This is a building week as I continue to build into LIV and my goal of accomplishing a win in LIV as well as winning another major or getting ready for Augusta.”
LIV Golf resumes next weekend at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.
