Winning brings enduring praise in golf, even long after retirement. However, the same spotlight follows losses, sometimes returning in unexpected ways. Ryder Cup hero Sergio Garcia recently experienced this firsthand. The unexpected aspect is that this information emerged from the youngest member of Garcia’s Fireballs GC.

David Puig was recently featured as a guest on the Fairway to Heaven Podcast on YouTube. During their conversation with the golfer, the topic of Anthony Kim’s swagger emerged, prompting the interviewer to ask, “Were you aware of the legend that was Anthony Kim and have you had a lot of dealings with him in your impressions thus far?” Responding to the question, Puig began with, “What I remember is pretty tough, and Sergio doesn’t like it.” 

The golfer went on to express his impressions of American golfers, remarking, “The first thought that comes to my mind every time someone speaks about Anthony Kim is when he beat Sergio on the Ryder Cup.” Upon Puig’s revelation, the interviewers erupted in laughter, and Puig said that he even tease Garcia, saying, “You know sometimes I give sh*t to Sergio because of that.”

Even though Garcia feels somewhat irritated by it, Puig himself isn’t sure why that’s the first thing that crosses his mind. The conversation didn’t stop at the trolling; in fact, the 22-year-old went as far as praising the FireballsGC captain, acknowledging his talent by saying, “I know who he was, how good he was.” This incident underscored the fact that the fact that the incident from the 2008 Ryder Cup still stays in the minds of people.

Moreover, it was Anthony Kim’s debut in the Ryder Cup, and as he competed for the United States, he certainly didn’t let down Paul Azinger, who was serving as captain at the time. Eventually, the duel between Garcia and Kim became thrilling to watch.

The battle of the 2008 Ryder Cup between Sergio Garcia and Anthony Kim

The 2008 Ryder Cup was held at Valhalla. Even though Garcia and Kim both began strongly with three holes, showcasing impressive drives at the first and exceptional second shots, things quickly turned challenging for the Spaniard. Kim’s exceptional performance saw him make an eagle over the 2nd green, landing his ball just five feet from the hole, granting him an opportunity for a birdie putt, and putting him in an early lead.

After the 4th hole, Garcia faced a disastrous moment at the long par-four 6th. His drive landed on the downslope of a bank above a winding creek, buried in a dense mat of foot-long bluegrass. Consequently, he had to take a penalty drop, resulting in a bogey. The situation worsened at the par-five 7th when Garcia’s second shot found the water in front of the green. Eventually, after a fierce battle, Anthony Kim emerged victorious in his debut Ryder Cup.

What are your thoughts on Garica receiving sh*t, in a funny way though, from his league-mates? Did you watch the 2008 Ryder Cup? Let us know in the comments below.