Garcia fires 63 to claim first PGA title

Art Stricklin

Sergio Garcia of Spain fired a seven-under-par 63 in Sunday's final round to win the $4 million Colonial tournament by two strokes for his first U.S. PGA Tour win.

The 21-year-old Garcia, who began the day five strokes behind co-leaders Phil Mickelson and Brett Quigley, made seven birdies in a bogey-free round to claim the $720,000 top prize with a 13-under-par total of 267.

"I'm glad I was able to win on the toughest tour in the world and I hope this is the start of good things for me. I don't know why somebody wanted me to wait so long, but it's sweeter than if I had won in my first week," Garcia said.

"Today I got a few breaks and everybody saw how well I could play."

Mickelson, who held a four-shot lead after eight holes, finished with an even-par 70 for 269 to tie for second place with Brian Gay, who shot 65.

Garcia, who burst onto the world golf scene by finishing one shot behind Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship, broke a host of tournament records with his thrilling final-round performance at Colonial Country Club.

The charismatic Spaniard posted a 29 on the front nine, the lowest nine-hole score in nearly 20 years, to become the youngest Colonial winner by nearly four years.

His father/manager Victor Garcia was among the fans in the gallery.

Mickelson missed three par-putts inside five feet as he squandered a chance for a repeat victory at Colonial -- a feat accomplished only by the legendary Ben Hogan.

"I've been hitting the ball well, but I just seem to have a mental block on the back nine on Sundays," Mickelson said. "I've struggled the last four or five times I've had a shot at it."

Mickelson finished with an even-par round of 70 for 269 to tie for second with Brian Gay, who shot a final-round 65.

Glen Day was alone in fourth at 270, with Shigeki Maruyama of Japan (70) at 272 along with Justin Leonard and Brett Quigley.

Garcia's come-from-behind victory sent his father scrambling back from the airport to watch his son's victory.

He had left Sunday afternoon in time to catch a flight back to Spain, but his wife kept calling him on the cell phone to update him on his son's performance.

When Sergio reached the 17th hole, Victor decided he would miss his flight to see his son's first win and raced back to the course in his rental car. He arrived in time to catch Sergio in the press room, giving him a hug and a gentle pat on the cheek.

"We have been close to winning many times, so I'm obviously very happy to see him win. I always felt good with Sergio, we understand each other so well," Victor said through a translator.

Garcia said the victory was vindication for him and his family, after the criticism they have received about Sergio using Victor as his exclusive swing coach.

"This win proves that everything is not as bad as it seems. Now he (Victor) can go play on the Senior Tour like he wants and I can handle things here," Garcia said.

Garcia became the first Spaniard to win on the U.S. PGA Tour since Jose Maria Olazabal won the 1999 Masters.

In the 18th green awards ceremony, Sergio dedicated his trophy to his cousin, Jose Fernandez, who was hurt in a car accident in Spain two weeks ago and is making a recovery at home.