The rebirth of Sergio García

The major tournament in which the least was expected from Sergio García turned out to be the one in which he played at his best for quite some time. The golfer from Castellón was forced to qualify for the US Open, at a pre-tournament play-off in Memphis. There, he suffered more than ever to win through, finally prevailing in a tie-break between seven players, most of them unknowns.

It was the first time in over a decade, and 47 major tournaments, that García had been required to take this route, and from the mire he has emerged as a new and hungrier player.

García's seventh-placed finish on Sunday was his best since he came second at the British Open in 2007 and the PGA Championship in 2008, where on both occasions Padraig Harrington was victorious. Since then, García has played in 10 majors and on two occasions failed even to make the cut. At the Congressional Country Club, García was consistent on the greens and scored 69, 71, 69 and 70, throwing in some glorious strokes, such as one he clawed out of the rough to the foot of the flag.

"I felt better, calmer," said García. "On the final day I had problems with certain shots and I lacked a little confidence, but I played well and I should look ahead and keep improving. In general, I stood up well. When I played the qualification in Memphis I took it little by little, first trying to qualify and not looking too far ahead. I would have liked to have finished better here to get into the British Open. I still have next week. But if I continue on this path, I should be back in the top 50 before too long and that will fix a lot of things."

García's seventh place gives him direct access into the Augusta Masters and the next US Open, as well as driving him up the ranking, a boon to his confidence ahead of the British Open, for which he must still qualify.

If the US Open provided confirmation of the genius of winner Rory McIlroy, it could also have been the starting point for a new, more consistent, version of García, who has not won a professional tournament since 2008.

hat said, he is the only golfer to have participated in every major in the 21st century, without missing one, even if he has had to earn his place through a qualifying tournament. And his placing at the Congressional could have been even better had he holed a birdie at the 17th hole and sunk a saveable par putt at the 18th.

García was accompanied by bad luck in the final stages, as though he suffered from a lack of concentration or the nerve to seal a good score card. But his seventh place should give him the impetus to return to the top.