You know, it was about a year ago this time when I made the bold prediction that Sergio Garcia would win the Masters. It was a bold and stupid prediction and I rightly took a beating for it both before and after as Garcia didn’t even make the cut.

So this year, my pick for the Masters is none other than Sergio Garcia. And I have no real idea why. It’s obvious that to really stand behind anyone not named Tiger Woods is pure folly, but I just can’t help myself. Sergio just has something. Blast him and those yellow pants.

Because honestly, the first thing about Sergio that I think of now is how he botched away the British Open last year with an audible choke. The Claret Jug was his, he chose not to take it. It was as ugly (albeit mesmerizing) golf as you’ll ever see those final few holes last year, and Garcia had every chance to win. And he didn’t win because he didn’t make the putt that every champion must make.

But yeah, I’m still picking him. He’s still young, and may mature at some point. Instantaneously. Or maybe he has matured just recently, I haven’t been keeping tabs. To win the Masters, Garcia will need every weapon he has, and even Sergio-haters will agree he has a lot of weapons when he chooses to use them.

And I use the word “choose” deliberately here. Someone with the skills of Garcia literally chooses to win. Look at Tiger Woods. Or think back to Michael Jordan during his World Championship runs with the Chicago Bulls. These type of athletes make the choice that there is no way they will allow themselves to lose. That is why they are great.

I think Garcia may be ready to make that choice. So I’m sticking with Sergio. Of course, if he chooses incorrectly again, it’ll be all Tiger.

–WKW