A tired sounding Sergio Garcia is already looking forward to a fortnight’s competition rest ahead of a 14th straight Masters appearance.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner posted a second round three under par 69 for a three under par tally in the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
However the 33-year old is now hoping his energy levels will be high enough to remain competitive over the closing two rounds of the $6.2m event in suburban Orlando.
“I am kind of running almost on empty and given the way I am feeling to be able to make this week was an achievement for me,” he said.
“So I’m looking forward to going home and relaxing for a fortnight before the Masters.
“I would love my game to be better than where it is but just banging balls and just hitting my head against the trees is not going to help.
“So I have to just got to try to get to Augusta with the best feeling possible, and it’s still a tournament and it doesn’t really change that much as you still have to hit the shots.”
The Orlando event is Garcia’s seventh tournament this season capped by a second place behind England’s Chris Wood at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and third last fortnight behind Tiger Woods in the WGC -Cadillac Championship in Miami.
Garcia will be making his 14th straight journey to Augusta National after having made his debut in 1999 as the then British Amateur champion and where he then became the first ever Amateur to win the ‘Low Amateur’ medal.
His best finish remains a share of fourth in 2004 when Garcia stormed through the field with a last day 66 but six shots behind American Phil Mickelson,
“If I am confident going to Augusta then I will be able to trust myself hitting shots and I might be able to do well but if not I will struggle,” he added.
“But my main concern after this week is to just go home and get some rest and chill out next week and then the following week my practice will become a little more intense.”
Irish fan Gary presents Sergio Garcia with a Real Madrid fairway cover on day two of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
