Sergio Garcia is putting with his eyes closed – and it seems to be working

Sergio Garcia has revealed he often putts with his eyes closed – and it seems to be paying dividends at this week’s Sanderson Farms Championship.
Garcia carded a second consecutive round of 68 at Country Club of Jackson to move to eight under par for the tournament and into a tie for seventh heading into the weekend.
While cameras only picked up Garcia closing his eyes before a putt during Friday’s second round, the Spaniard said he’s been doing it on and off for quite some time.
In fact, the habit dates as far back as when he won the Masters at Augusta in 2017.
“Would you believe me if I told you I’ve been doing it for about three years?” Garcia told reporters after his round.
“I’ve gone on and off, but like Augusta I won it playing with my eyes closed every single putt and some of the other wins, too.
“I’ve tried — I feel like it gives me a little more freedom to feel the stroke instead of kind of — sometimes we get too focused on trying to make it perfect and kind of following with the eyes and everything.
“So, this way I feel like I just feel it and I just let me natural ability kind of take over instead of telling myself what to do.”
He added: “I would love to putt with my eyes open, but I feel like my stroke is more consistent when I kind of try to forget about it and just kind of feel it.
“That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve tried to putt with my eyes open again here and there and I tried it at the US Open a couple weeks ago, obviously didn’t work very well.
“At the end of the day we all try to find a way to feel comfortable. Jordan (Spieth) used to putt looking at the hole. It’s kind of like the same thing.”
Some of the social media reaction to Garcia closing his eyes on the greens has been less than complimentary, but he’s not bothered.
“I don’t care what they think,” said Garcia. “They’re not out there playing. I’m going to do whatever I feel is best for me.”
Latest
-
News
David Law tames the Green Monster course to move into contention in Hamburg
The Scot fired an eagle and eight birdies in a seven-under-par 66, a nine-shot improvement on his opening 75.
-
News
Rory McIlroy bounces back to form in the Memorial Tournament
At four under par McIlroy was three shots off the early clubhouse lead.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Wallace one stroke behind lead after first day of PGA Memorial in Ohio
Matt Wallace and Danny Willett are sitting second and equal-third respectively after the first day of the Memorial.
-
Ryder Cup
I don’t think LIV golfers should be on European Ryder Cup team – Rory McIlroy
American players remain eligible despite being banned or resigning from the PGA Tour in the wake of joining the Saudi-funded circuit.
-
European Tour
Brendan Lawlor and Kim Moore excited for next week’s Scandinavian Mixed event
The pair won the men’s and women’s titles at the G4D Open at Woburn earlier this month.
-
PGA Tour
Emiliano Grillo claims second PGA tour title in Texas
It was Emiliano Grillo’s first PGA Tour win in over seven years.
-
News
Pablo Larrazabal to follow Miguel Angel Jimenez after KLM Open win in forties
Larrazabal celebrated the milestone by winning his ninth DP World Tour title and second in just four weeks.
-
News
Harry Hall bounces back from double blow to keep share of lead
Cornish rookie heads into final round tied at the top with American Adam Schenk.
-
PGA Tour
Harry Hall opens three-stroke halfway lead at Charles Schwab Challenge
The Cornish rookie is chasing his first PGA Tour win after opening round of 62.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Harry Hall takes three-shot lead in Texas with career-best outing
He picked up eight birdies without dropping a shot and managed to save par from 15 and 30 feet.