Turning professional in 1999 at the age of just 19, Sergio Garcia quickly learnt to play an amazing game. Taught by his father, he began to play golf at the age of just 3.

He went on to become the master professional golfer we know today, scooping 6 PGA Tours and an equal number of European Tour wins.

He’s also had a successful career as a member of teams competing in the golfing arena - he participated in team events at the European Ryder Cup in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2006.

Career information

• He was the fourth youngest player to win the European Cup at just over 19 years old

• As well as the PGA and European Tours, Garcia also won the Catalonian Open Championship (Spain) and the twice the Nedbank Golf Challenge (South Africa)

• He is currently ranked 11th in the world, behind Woods (1), Harrington (7), and Furyk (3)

• The first PGA Tour tournament he ever won was the 2001 MasterCard Colonial in Texas

• To start with, his serve was somewhat eclectic, an aspect of his game that he managed to control and ‘’cure’’.

• He suffered from fairly low self-esteem, once refusing to play at a pro event due to severe acne.

• At one point when he was younger he considered playing football for Real Madrid, but eventually the idea of golf won

• He used to have a romantic relationship with tennis star Martina Hingis