By Mike Dickson Follow @@Mike_Dickson_DM Sergio Garcia could look back on a battle well fought throughout Sunday: ‘It looks like I’m finally growing up now,’ concluded the 34-year-old Spaniard. It sounded like even he would agree that the process had taken some time. But this was one of his Major near-misses from which he could genuinely take pride, certainly more than was the case when he was in contention at this same course eight years ago. It was on that sunbaked afternoon at Royal Liverpool that he came out dressed from head to toe like a canary and subsided woefully as Tiger Woods romped to the title. Afterwards the American is said to have texted to a friend that ‘I just bludgeoned Tweetie Pie’.
@highlight
Sergio Garcia pushed eventual Open winner Rory McIlroy close on Sunday
@highlight
After getting the better of Garcia in 2006, Tiger Woods is said to have texted a friend saying: 'I just bludgeoned Tweetie Pie'
@highlight
This year, Spaniard was proud and happy with the way he performed at Royal Liverpool having subisded eight years previously
His problem going forward is that, having been denied by Woods in his pomp, he now has to confront another outstanding rival in @placeholder.