Reuters
 Wednesday, April 4
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Sergio Garcia takes up the Spanish challenge at this year's Masters, hoping to follow the heroics of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal over the past two decades.

 Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia was low amateur in 1999 when he tied for 38th, his best Masters finish.
Ballesteros, at the height of his powers in the early 1980s, won The Masters in 1980 and again in 1983. Olazabal followed Ballesteros with victories in 1994 and 1999.

Now the precocious Garcia, 21, carries his nation's hope in the 2001 edition of the season's first major.

Garcia has been nurtured by his two celebrated compatriots, playing practice rounds with both men around the Augusta course.

"It does help me to play with them because there are some places you have to be careful with," Garcia said. "They've really helped me there. Once you get started playing more you can get your own thoughts about the golf course."

In his first full season on the PGA tour last year Garcia finished 42nd on the money list, earning more than $1 million but failing to win.

"I learned how to be a little more patient," Garcia said. "But that's one of the things. You've got to take your time. If it doesn't come it will and if not I can live with it."




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