Garcia Captures Players Championship With Playoff Victory Over Goydos

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (AHN) -- Sergio Garcia finally won a big tournament on Sunday, rolling in a seven-foot par putt on the first playoff hole to take out Paul Goydos to win The Players Championship. Garcia, considered the top player without a victory in a major, snapped a 53-streak winless streak that stretched out over the last three years. The 28-year-old Spainard owns seven PGA victories, the most of any golfer under the age of 30. He also pocketed $1.71 million on Sunday -- the richest purse on the tour. Said Garcia, "It feels like a major, and it tests you like a major. I'm so thrilled to be here standing with the trophy." Garcia shot a 1-under 71, including a slippery par putt on No. 18 to send him into the playoff when Goydos missed a 15-foot par putt on his final hole. Then, on the first playoff in 21 years at The Players, Goydos splashed his first shot on the playoff hole. Garcia's shot stopped four feet from the pin. Goydos, who has won only twice on the tour, was the first golfer to hit in the water on Thursday and also was the last. In all, 65 balls found the water during the four days. Said Goydos, "Look at the shot Sergio hit in the playoff. I got beat. I played good golf. That doesn't mean you win. There's no defense. I can't tackle the little guy. There's no kneecapping. You have to accept the guy beat me." Goydos won $1.026 million. Jeff Quinney could have joined the playoff, but he failed to save par out of the bunker on No. 18. He settled for a 70 over the final round and finished one shot back and all alone in third. The rest of the field had trouble with the winds that gusted more than 40 mph at times and turned the Stadium Course into a terror at times. Jesper Parnevik shot a final-round 85, the highest schore at TPC Sawgrass in five years and one of nine rounds in the 80s. Kenny Perry, who opened the day one-shot out of the lead, shot an 81. Defending champion Phil Mickelson, who was tied for fourth when the day started, shot a 78.