Spitball Sergio Wins Players, Goydos Dissed by Press

Part of me was willing to smile for Sergio, winning his first almost-major - he showed flashes of brilliance, seemed at times to be a genuine sportsman, and won the thing after all. But part of me couldn't just look at Sergio's performance in this one event. No, I couldn't ignore (as they say at the Oscars) his body of work: whining about conditions at the 2002 U.S. Open while endlessly milking his grips, spitting into the cup last year at Doral, choking at the 2007 British Open, and all through his recent career openly expressing how he's been somehow cheated, that everyone else but he gets the lucky breaks.

Do I hope that Sergio turns the corner? Will I root for Gentleman Garcia if he chooses to mend his whiny ways, and leaves "Spitball Sergio" behind? I sure will. I'm a big believer in second chances, and an admirer of famous figures who've changed their approach to fame, and reinvented their public persona. George Foreman comes to mind: See "When we were Kings" to understand just how far he's come...

But here's what got my goat today: Seeing the following exclamation from Cameron Morfit on Golf.com: "And ultimately, to the great relief of everyone who hoped for a first-class winner at the "fifth major," Sergio Garcia won the Players. " Cameron: What the fu__ is that all about? Didn't Goydos acquit himself with good humor and grace? Didn't he perform admirably, playing within himself, sticking to his game plan, and play steady-eddie golf?

And what makes Spitball Sergio a "first-class winner?" The surly disposition? His proclivity to yell "cut... CUT!!" at every other tee shot? The whiny behavior? The cursing of the vast golf conspiracy that's been against him all the while? I have two words for you, Mr. Morfit: Puh - leeze.

If not for a gust of wind on the first playoff hole, a deserving and humble Paul Goydos would be holding the crystal trophy. Sure, Sergio gets a second chance in this fan's eyes, but I hope to see more of Mr. Goydos as well.

GF