Garcia pleased with opening round

Sergio Garcia declared himself in his best shape at an Open Championship for years after starting with a four-under-par 68 at Royal Liverpool.

Garcia pleased with opening round

Sergio Garcia declared himself in his best shape at an Open Championship for years after starting with a four-under-par 68 at Royal Liverpool.

The 34-year-old Spaniard is still chasing his first major despite having been in contention on numerous occasions since bursting on to the scene as a precocious teenager.

Garcia’s best Open remains 2007, when he lost in a play-off to Padraig Harrington, but he also has happy memories of Hoylake having finished in a tie for fifth on the Merseyside links in 2006.

Asked if he was in his best mental state at a major for some time, Garcia said: “I don’t know, (but) probably since 2008.

“But, like I said, even on the tough years this championship, it’s different to me. I love it so much.

“After the Ryder Cup it’s my favourite tournament to play. You always come with a different frame of mind here, even if you’re struggling little bit.

“I enjoy the people out there. It almost kind of feels like a Ryder Cup, when people start shouting, ’Come on, lads!’ and things like that.

“Those are things that you don’t hear that often and it’s good to hear this week.

“But it’s only the first day. There’s so many things that can happen out there.

“It would be nice to put myself in a position to have a solid chance on Sunday, like I did a couple of times, and like I did in 2006 here.

“I’m obviously very pleased. Every time you start a major championship and an Open with a four under, you’ve got to be pleased with it.”

Garcia started superbly with birdies at three of his first five holes.

A bogey came at the par-five 10th but the world number nine responded brilliantly by chipping in for a birdie three on the next.

He said: “It was perfect timing. It was one of those things that it was great to be able to do it right after a bogey on a par five, which always stings a little bit.

“Fortunately it went straight in the middle and hit the pin and went in. That was a really nice moment to kind of keep the good momentum going and kind of forget that bogey.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

OFX Irish Legends Media Day Paul McGinley wants to address Irish Senior Open regret
The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches - Day 1 - Afternoon Fourball Matches Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's virtual golf league to launch in January
2023 Ryder Cup – Singles Matches 'Drunken lunch' led to Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teaming up for New Orleans
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up

Ireland's Top 10 Hidden Gems

Ten of the best golf courses in Ireland that too few people know about.

Read Here
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited