The Masters didn't go the way Sergio Garcia wanted, as he left Augusta National disappointed. However, his team gave him a few moments that he could rejoice following the debacle.

The 2017 Masters champion made the cut for the Masters, which many players would be happy with, but his week was not easy. He made several mistakes, including ripping a poor drive into the bunker on the 585-year par 5 and falling to 8-over after three bogeys, which ended his Masters run on an untoward note. Nevertheless, his LIV Golf teammates helped him overcome some of the agony.

Now set to compete in LIV Golf Mexico, Garcia disclosed in a press conference on April 15, "There were too many mistakes [at the Masters]. Maybe that's why I didn't finish as well as I would have liked. [But] when you're surrounded by your teammates and friends, you always feel a little bit better. We had a really good practice yesterday. We enjoyed it a lot."

That word “enjoyed” speaks volumes about Garcia's relief. Augusta was a grind for him. But returning to the LIV Golf camp and getting in touch with his Fireballs GC teammates felt more like golf again.

Augusta cuts roughly half the field every year, and Garcia getting through it means something. But he's won there, and he knows what actually competing at Augusta feels like, and last week wasn't that.

As for the Mexican city, it is going to be a different energy entirely. Tuesday practice with his Fireballs teammates, and Sergio Garcia was already sounding like himself again.

And much of it may come from the fact that his team will have a slight advantage.

Fireballs GC Is Expected to Have Home Team Advantage in Mexico City

The Fireballs aren't from Mexico, but four Spanish speakers rocking up to Chapultepec are expected to receive a reception that can make them feel like the home side. Luis Masaveu has seen it before and was straight about what it means when the back nine gets tight.

"We're kind of the second-favorite team here. Feeling the crowd support is going to help us a lot  not just when we're doing well, but when we hit rough patches down the stretch."

Josele Ballester's short game was giving him some trouble early in the season. However, he rolled in a T6 and T12 in his last two starts, displaying that his form has steadied now.

David Puig is quietly sitting around 80th in the world rankings, and half of his tournaments last season ended in the top 10. Three already this year.

Garcia has watched Puig grow since picking him as a 20-year-old amateur at the very first LIV event in London. Four years later, his assessment is simple.

"He's improved in every part of the game, but his driving is probably his biggest improvement."

Augusta stings for a few days, and then you have a good Tuesday practice, your teammates are laughing, and the crowd in Mexico City is already on your side. Garcia has been in this sport long enough to know that's not a bad place to be.

Do you think Sergio Garcia can find his best form at LIV Golf Mexico City after a tough Masters week? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Souvik Roy