Defending Masters champion Sergio Garcia is unconcerned about not being among the favourites this time around at Augusta.
Garcia is a 25/1 shot as he looks to emulate Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only players to have won back-to-back titles at Augusta National.
He’s won this year and had three top 10s, but with Woods returning and the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson all winning, Garcia’s name is well down the list of betting odds.
- McIlroy 8/1
- D Johnson 10/1
- Thomas 10/1
- Spieth 10/1
- Woods 10/1
After getting married (in his green jacket) and having a baby, Garcia has more important things to worry about than where his name appears on the list of favourites, as he knows he has the game to be successful at Augusta.
"That doesn't really matter to me because at the end of the day I know what I'm capable of and I know how I'm playing," Garcia said.
"Obviously I feel like my game is in good shape. I'm really happy with all my new equipment. I've had a couple of good weeks so I'm excited to go back there and defend my title as well as I can be and as well as I can do.
"If I'm looked at as a favourite or not it doesn't really matter, because it depends on myself and what I do and on what I believe."
Garcia finally broke his major duck after an epic tussle with Justin Rose 12 months ago, and the Spaniard insists his Ryder Cup team-mate can go one better.
"He's been close several times there," Garcia said of Rose. "He's got a great game for it. I don't see why he shouldn't be able to win it.
"When it comes down our battle on Sunday, I thought it was great. I thought it was amazing for both of us to be there, playing well and kind of pushing each other throughout the whole day. I think that everyone saw how much we enjoyed it.
"Unfortunately, one of us had to lose. We were obviously congratulating each other for great shots and the great battle that we were having. Obviously we're good friends, so that kind of helps.
"But it was two guys fighting hard for their first green jacket, but keeping it friendly, being sportsmen and kind of showing everyone that you can still have a great battle without having to be too serious or too competitive in a way."
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