Certainly, the recollections of a mother's love stir positive emotions. Less than three months into his professional career, Garcia had won the Irish Open and finished second in the Scottish Open in the two weeks preceding the Open.
"El Nino" was already carrying the mantle of Europe's Tiger and the audience eagerly awaited to see how he would fare in his first major as a professional. Garcia opened with a triple bogey, shot an 89 and, in front of the world's media, sobbed on Consuelo's shoulders.
"I remember that moment of crying in my mother's arms; of course I do. But why does that have to be a bad memory? It was just part of growing up, part of becoming the golfer I am today. I have never been one to hide my emotions and it was better for me to let it all out. The way I see it, I was lucky my mother was there to console me, and to help me get over the hurt and pain I felt at not playing anywhere near my best.
"Yeah, it was really tough, but it showed me you need your family most at those times. My family has always been the most important thing for me and it was my father [Victor] who was first to give me a pat on the shoulder in 2007 and say: 'Next time, Sergio, next time'. That makes me feel happy, not sad."
There have not been many, if any, golfers whose family is so entwined with his game. Garcia was born in his father's pro shop when Consuelo went into labour early, and by the age of two, he was aping Victor's swing. Brother Victor jnr is now his caddie and Victor snr remains coach and mentor and was seen in tears when Sergio finally ended his major drought at Augusta last year.
"It meant so much to have my father there at my side," Garcia says. "I am happier than I have ever been as a person but there are still plenty of things I want to achieve on the course. I want to stay healthy and give myself more chances to win majors. And, of course, I would love to still be winning tournaments when [his infant daughter] Azalea is old enough to run on to the final green and give me a hug and a kiss."
It was Padraig Harrington who revelled in that particular scenario 11 years ago, after he had beaten Garcia in the four-hole playoff. Again, the perception was of Garcia flouncing away, wailing at the heavens, and this notion was only strengthened by the sour relationship between the winner and loser. Yet although there was inevitably angst on Garcia's behalf, he refuses to confess to scars.
"What happened the last time at Carnoustie wasn't a terrible experience - I played great golf and I was just one putt away from winning the Open. And surely that should show that there wasn't any lasting damage from 1999, because I couldn't have played as well as I did in 2007 unless I loved playing there, and it will be fun to go back now.
"Look, lifting the Claret Jug has been a dream for me ever since I started playing golf, and I'm excited at trying to go one better. I have been close so many times, and I love links golf so much, that I want the Claret Jug more than ever.
"You can believe you have the game and mental strength to be a major champion but until you actually achieve it, there will always be a tiny nagging doubt, even if you don't want to admit it, even to yourself.
"But I can tell you this: when people say winning one major makes it easy to win your second, they have got it totally wrong. It's just as difficult - maybe more so, because you know you have got what it takes and maybe you try too hard.
"That is my challenge at Carnoustie, because I really want to win there. Not due to anything that happened to me before. It's just always been my ambition. That's all."
