MERCEDES CHAMPIONSHIP: Sergio Garcia is up to a best-ever fourth-in-the-world ranking after starting 2002 as he ended 2001 - with a play-off victory.
Three days ahead of his 22nd birthday Garcia won the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii on Sunday, firing a closing round of 64 and then beat USPGA champion David Toms with a 10-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole.
Only David Duval, Phil Mickelson and number one Tiger Woods are ahead of Garcia in the world - and, of course, he leads the US money list this season after one event.
Woods, who followed consecutive 74s with a 65, finished tied for 10th place, seven strokes behind.
After claiming nine titles, including three majors, in 2000, Woods won just once in his last nine US Tour starts of 2001. "This used to be a tour and a guy. Now I think it's becoming a tour again," said Garcia, whose stated aim for the season is to top the money lists in both America and Europe.
Garcia's closing shot of last year was to chip in against Ernie Els after they had tied for the $2 million winner's cheque in the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City.
Along with the first prize in Hawaii came a top-of-the-range Mercedes from the sponsors. Garcia accepted it and announced he was passing on the Mercedes he already owned to his South African caddie Glenn Murray.
Garcia started the final day four shots off the pace, but caught Toms on the 18-under mark of 274. The pair opened the play-off at the 663-yard, par-five 18th, where Toms caught the rough with his second shot and left his third 30 feet right of the pin. Garcia was 50 yards from the green in two, chipped 10 feet past and after Toms missed his putt, holed his for his third US Tour success.
The tournament is a "Champion of Champions" event restricted to those who won titles last season. Kenny Perry was one behind in third and defending champion Jim Furyk two further back in fourth.
Garcia's next appearance is in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth - part of the European tour - in two weeks' time. He was sixth on the US Tour last year, losing a play-off in the season-ending Tour Championship in addition to winning the Mastercard Colonial Classic and Buick Classic.
Just before Christmas, he said: "Of course I see Tiger as a catchable target. I don't think there's any doubt about that. I feel I am closer to him than I was a year ago and I think a lot of other players are too."
As for winning both money lists he added: "I know it's difficult, but if you don't ask yourself to give as much as you can you are not going to get close. I think I will only be playing in 11 European tournaments again, but if you do well in the right ones - the majors and the world championships - you can still win the Order of Merit."
