Tournament host, Sergio Garcia is set to slam the door shut in the face of his invited guests in taking an eight-shot lead into the final round of the Castellon Masters.
Garcia forged his way to a 64 on day three of the event with the Spaniard’s round capped by four birdies in succession from the 13th hole of the Club de Campo del Mediterranean course.
The World No. 49 ranked Garcia then inched closer to ending a three-year Race to Dubai winless drought when he birdied the last.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (66) is in second place at a distant 11-under par with England’s Ross McGowan (69), who also birdied the 18th, in third spot at 10-under par.
However as the rest of the field seem to be playing for second place, Garcia admitted his game is not where he would wish.
“There is still a few things I need to improve on but obviously it is getting better and better,” he said.
“I have more and more confidence.
“But then the tournament is not over and I am going to have be very focussed. I realise also that everyone will be trying to attack me.
“So I have to be aware of that and know what I have to do.”
However Garcia will hard pushed to be denied a ninth Race to Dubai success and the 21st victory of his pro career.
And driving him also towards a second Castellon Masters win in four years will be a partisan home club crowd.
Garcia grew-up on the Club de Campo del Mediterranean course and the clubhouse is a shine to his achievements.
He also has a spacious villa overlooking the tree-lined course.
“It is a very special feeling playing in front of so many people I know and I only also get this feeling when I play in the U.K like the British Open or in the Ryder Cup,” he said.
“The energy of the crowd is just amazing so that is very nice.
“But the tournament is now well set up for me to win and that’s the plan.”
If Garcia does win he will collect a Euro 333,330 first prize cheque and also move from his current No. 49 ranking to around 32nd in the World Rankings.
