Darrell Davis: Perseverance is the key

Sergio Garcia and Brad Gushue have probably never met.

But on Sunday they won championships they had been pursuing for a couple of decades. Considering all they had done to get there, it was easy to cheer for them.

Garcia won his first major by defeating Justin Rose in a nail-biting, dramatic playoff at the Masters golf tournament. It was Garcia’s 74th appearance in a major professional championship, something he’s been touted to win since first appearing in Augusta as the best amateur in 1999. Garcia has sometimes pouted, feuded with Tiger Woods and hasn’t always been a fan favourite, but he’s grown up, kept working and shown he respects his sport.

Gushue won the world men’s curling championship by beating Sweden’s Niklas Edin. Gushue and his teammates were undefeated through the tournament and also through the Canadian championship, so they deserve the victory. Although Gushue had won an Olympic gold medal for Canada and attended 14 Briers, this was the first time he participated in the worlds. His dedication to curling made him the sentimental favourite.

Perseverance: The trait of champions.