Plenty of wins left in Garcia's career despite 30th birthday

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His grin can be infectious.

It can also have that just-pulled-a-high-school-prank edge to it. A little snark mixed with dare-you-to-call-me-on-it.

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In the bag: Sergio Garcia

His stare can mean one of two things -- he's either trying to take down a tough pin placement or he's had it with questions, his game or something else annoying. The latter means he's out of there.

But no matter which grin or stare is in place, there's no denying that Sergio Garcia's game can border on brilliance.

We've known that for years. Expected a lot out of it, too. A major or two, if you've forgotten and replaced your once-bright hopes for the young Spaniard with the sighs and resignation that come with yet another close call. And after a bummer of a 2009 season you may now half-heartedly put him on your major short list.

We're here to remind you there's still time. Lots of it.

Garcia's been around so long you almost feel like he's right there with Colin Montgomerie. You know, seriously low on major chances. But he's not.

He did just pass a milestone last Saturday, but it was a relatively easy one -- his 30th birthday. No blowout party that we know of. No hanging with the Real Madrid boys or buddy Rafael Nadal.

Instead, he celebrated the big day on the Canary Islands playing in a memorial tournament and fundraiser for Maria Garcia-Estrada, the former Duke player and his junior golf friend who lost her life to sarcoma at the age of 24.

Good news on two fronts -- Garcia helped raise money for a good cause and he tested the right wrist he sprained at the Dubai World Championship. He's been sidelined for six weeks and even saw a specialist to make sure there was no problem to his carpometacarpal joint.

And his attitude? He told Spanish journalists he was working on his patience.

"The important thing is to give the maximum in what you do and do not obsess over the results,'' he said according to an ABC-Spain report. "Of course, the more tournaments you win, the better, but you can not live in perpetual frustration.''

Although there's no official word, it appears Garcia is poised to make his 2010 debut in Abu Dhabi next week. His first appearance on the PGA TOUR could come at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which provides him a great look at this year's U.S. Open venue.

Not to mention a chance to put last year in the rear view mirror. After winning three times world-wide in 2008, including THE PLAYERS Championship, and jumping to second in the Official World Golf Ranking, he struggled after a breakup with girlfriend Morgan-Leigh Norman and managed just three top-10s on TOUR, slipping to No. 13.

When Garcia broke onto the scene at the 1999 PGA Championship with that split-legged leap down the fairway at Medinah as he chased Tiger Woods, all we could see was the promise. He was just 19 and seemed to be a blend of the best of countrymen Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal. He had charisma and flair, but he also had a more solid, consistent game and a putter. And lord, he had passion.

He still does. Garcia has seven TOUR wins and 12 other victories worldwide. He's a lock for every European Ryder Cup team -- or any European team period. He's finding patience and he's learning from all those close calls (three runners-up and six more of fifth or better) in majors.

The toughest losses came in 2007 and 2008 -- both to Padraig Harrington. In 2007, he lost his game -- and subsequently a British Open playoff -- at Carnoustie. In 2008 at the PGA, he led by one at the turn and once again battled the Irishman down the stretch only to come up short.

The best players in the world take those losses and build on them. Most players do, indeed, need to get there a few times and learn from it. And when they do? Majors happen.

Just ask Tom Kite, who was 42 when he won the 1992 U.S. Open. Or Davis Love III, who was 33 when he won the 1997 PGA. Or Phil Mickelson, who went 0 for his first 43 majors, then, beginning at 33, won three of his next nine.

How many times have you heard that players hit their stride in their 30s? It's true. Payne Stewart won two of his three majors and six of his 11 TOUR titles after 30. Justin Leonard's major came at 25, but he's on a roll in his 30s. Geoff Ogilvy won the 2006 U.S. Open at 29 and is working on a great 30s. Vijay Singh won the first of his two majors at 35 and 28 tournaments since to become the poster-boy for 40-somethings. Kenny Perry has won 11 times since turning 40.

It's hard to fathom what it felt like to come so close to winning a major at 19 and suddenly be added to that short list. To have those expectations thrown at you. To find yourself in the midst of it all.

No question Garcia has struggled. He whined at the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage and found himself walking through a hostile crowd. He embraced the Ryder Cup and it embraced him -- much like Montgomerie before him.

Monty still hasn't won a major and likely won't. His last real chance came at Winged Foot in 2006, a year after he finished runner-up at St. Andrews. Yes, there's always a chance at a British Open -- just look at Greg Norman and Tom Watson coming close the last two years -- but it's doubtful.

As for Garcia? The only resemblance we see to Monty at the end of the Spaniard's career is that Ryder Cup legacy. He's well on his way to becoming his generation's Mr. Ryder Cup.

Garcia's first PGA TOUR win was a come-from-behind victory at the then-Mastercard Colonial. His dad was on the way to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport when he realized what was happening, turned the car around and got there in time for his son's press conference. Garcia was brilliant that day, just as he was in 2008 when he came from behind to beat Paul Goydos in a playoff at THE PLAYERS -- sticking his tee shot at the treacherous 17th to end it.

If his hand is strong, if he's put that tough breakup and 2008 behind him, there's no reason we can see for him not to start climbing back up toward the world's top five and starting a thirtysomething run.

Why? We think back to the moment after losing to Harrington at Oakland Hills when he was on his way into the locker room. What, we asked, did you learn about yourself this week.

"Patience,'' he said, forcing a smile. "It's huge in this game."

If Garcia can keep that thought as he heads into his 30s, he'll finally get out of his own way and win that major.

Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.