It was a major win on Sunday for Sergio Garcia, even if it wasn't quite a major championship. Garcia held his nerve down the stretch at The Players Championship, even sinking a must-make par putt on the 72nd hole, then defeated Paul Goydos in a playoff when Goydos' shot on the first extra hole found water.

It's the biggest win to date for Garcia - a victory that many, including Garcia himself, see as a long overdue. Garcia burst onto the international golf scene at age 19. Greatness seemed a sure thing. And while he's posted victories on the PGA Tour - The Players Championship is win No. 7 - and has contended in majors (including losing a playoff at last year's British Open), Garcia hasn't reached the heights everyone expected him to reach.

But perhaps this huge win can be the propellant Garcia needs? Keep in mind, although it seems like he's been around forever, he's only 28 years old. And he's now working with Stan Utley on his short game, and Utley is the guru du jour among golf instructors. Garcia struggled with putting at times during The Players Championship, but he also sank some very important putts, especially on Sunday.

Garcia has always had the game, tee-to-green, to be a big winner. His fortunes have always turned on his putting. Maybe those fortunes just took a turn for the better.

See also:

• Off the wire: Garcia wins Players Championship in playoff