Sergio Garcia hits his tee shot on the eighth hole at The Barclays. Garcia is a two-time winner of this tournament, both times at tree-lined Westchester. JERSEY CITY, N.J.—Seven days ago, Sergio Garcia wasn’t even sure if he would be eligible to play in The Barclays for the start of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup. Suddenly, he has a splendid view from the top.

TURNBERRY, Scotland Ten years after a teenage Sergio Garcia turned pro and almost caught Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship, the Spaniard is approaching his 30th birthday and still chasing his first major title. Garcia came within a shot of Woods at Medinah in 1999 after a stunning recovery shot that suggested he would soon join the American in the list of multiple major winners.