Sergio finds the mark and confidence at right time

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- When it was all over, Sergio Garcia planted a theatrical kiss on the blade of his mercurial silver putter, a symbolic gesture that can be interpreted many ways, he admitted.

For years, that particular club has instead represented the kiss of death, but when Garcia stood over a series of throat-constricting putts Sunday at the Players Championship, he rolled nearly all of them into the jaws of the cup.

The only question was whether he was going to slip it some tongue.

Sergio Garcia has put everyone on notice after winning the Players Championship. (AP)

As he stood on the 72nd hole needing to drain a tricky seven-footer for par to ultimately force a playoff with Paul Goydos, a sense of calm washed over him. He recalls having a recurring thought as he drew back the once-dreaded blade.

"I knew I was going to make that putt," Garcia said.

If that becomes a common feeling, the golf world better duck for cover, because after posting a 1-under 71 at TPC Sawgrass and beating Goydos on the first playoff hole, Garcia reminded everybody precisely why he not so long ago was considered the possible heir to Tiger Woods' throne.

"He's right there on the precipice of great things," Goydos observed.

Which beats staring into the black abyss any day.

Three years after his last victory on either the PGA or European tours, Garcia again validated his position as a worthy adversary for the game's top guns by vanquishing what has haunted him most. Whether it's permanent or temporary is the zillion-dollar question. Hopefully, it's the former, because he has been sorely missed.

"This tells me to keep working hard and to believe in myself," he said. "When I believe in myself, I don't think there are a lot of guys who can beat me."

Maybe only one. As he was handed the trophy, Garcia thanked Tiger Woods for sitting this one out, cracking, "that always makes things a little bit easier." You can bet Woods watched and took note, since a few years ago, Garcia was one of the few players who gave him a consistent run for his money at the major championships.

Garcia, now a ripe 28, used to putt like he'd made a deal with El Diablo. He made everything. It looked a lot like Sunday's brilliant closing round, actually.

El Nino made seven putts of at least 6 1/2 feet in length, including the gotta-have effort on the 18th to find a spot in the playoff when Goydos bogeyed. Outside of a missed five-footer for birdie at the 16th, it was practically perfecto.