Golf Gallery - Open Week continues: Sergio Garcia, toast in New York to the toast of New York?

 Sergio Garcia's boyish charm has worn thin with many golf fans. His last trip to Bethpage brought catcalls from the New York faithful who tired of Garcia's grip, then re-grip, then re-grip, then re-grip again ritual, before finally hitting his shot (Garcia was in the midst of a swing change). "Just hit the ball, Sergio!" rants came from the gallery of impatient Long Islanders. Sergio's response? The middle finger salute.

Have the last seven years softened the tension? After the first two days of play, it would seem so. Still, if things don't go Garcia's way, he's bound to verbally lambaste both the crowd and the course, as he recently did at Augusta and last year's PGA at Oakland Hills (see photo above). The best part about the PGA Tour is the game within the game - petty, though it may be.

(photo by Lon Horwedel)