SUNDAY OCTOBER 23, 2011 – CASTELLÓ MASTERS
• His ninth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 164th European Tour event.
• Moves to €1,080,748 in The Race to Dubai. This would be the ninth time in his European Tour career, he has won more than €1 million in a single season.
• Moves to just outside the top 30 from 49th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
• His first European Tour victory since the 2009 HSBC Champions (Nov 08). A gap of two years and 348 days.
• In that time he has played 40 European Tour events between victories.
• This victory beats his previous best European Tour finish since his win in the HSBC – Champions, of second in the 2011 BMW International Open.
• Claims his second win in the Castelló Masters, following his triumph in the first event in 2008.
• This victory is his third top four finish in the Castelló Masters from his four appearances. Was first in 2008, fourth in 2009 and first in 2011.
• Victory in the Castelló Masters marks the first European Tour event he has twice.
• His winning total of 257 equals the lowest winning 72 hole total of the 2011 season, established by Ernie Els (South African Open Championship). It is also the lowest winning total in relation to par (-27), in the 2011 season, beating the 25 under total of Ernie Els at the South African Open Championship. His 27 under par total is the lowest on The European Tour since Ernie Els shot 29 under at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic.
• His winning margin of 11 shots is the largest of the 2011 season, beating the eight by Martin Kaymer (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and Rory McIlroy (US Open Championship). Garcia’s victory margin is the largest on the European Tour since Tiger Woods won by 11 at the 2000 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.
• His final 54 hole total of 190 (-23) is the lowest of the 2011 season, beating the 192 of Ernie Els at the South African Open Championship.
• His final 54 hole total in relation to par of 23 under is the lowest of the 2011 season, beating the 19 under of Martin Kaymer at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and Portugal Masters.
OTHER FACTS
• His winning total of 257 (-27) is the lowest winning total and in relation to par, in the history of the event, beating his score in 2008 and Michael Jonzon in 2009 of 264 (-20). (His first 54 hole total of 194 (-19) is the lowest in the history of the event and tied the low opening 54 holes for the 2011 season, established by Ernie Els (194 (-16) at the South African Open Championship).
• His final round of 63 (-8) is the lowest final round by a winner in the event, beating the 67 (-4) of Garcia in 2008, Jonzon in 2009 and Matteo Manassero in 2010.
• His 11 shot winning margin is the biggest in the history of the Castelló Masters, beating the previous best of four shots by Manassero in 2010.
• Garcia is now an amazing 62 under par for his 14 rounds in the event since 2008, which equates to a stroke average of 66.57.
• Claims his fourth European Tour victory on Spanish soil. This win follows the 2002 Open de España, 2004 Mallorca Classic, 2008 and 2011 Castelló Masters.
• This victory keeps up his record of winning all four of his Spanish European Tour titles when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. (He also led going into the final round of the 2005 Omega European Masters).
• Garcia is attached to the Club de Golf del Mediterráneo, venue for the Castelló Masters. He joins Ernie Els as players to win an official European Tour twice at the club the player was attached to. Els won the 2004 and 2007 World Match Play Championship when he was attached at Wentworth Club.
• Becomes the first player to win the Castelló Masters twice.
• The fourth Spanish victory of the 2011 season. They are: Pablo Martin (Alfred Dunhill Championship, Alvaro Quiros (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Pablo Larrazabal (BMW International Open) and Sergio Garcia (Castelló Masters).
• The 160th Spanish victory in European Tour history.
• Gains a two year European Tour exemption until the end of 2013.
• Gains his 21st victory as a professional.
