Sergio Garcia Says He’s In A Best Place In Six Years Since Losing PGA C’Ship.

Sergio Garcia declared he’s in the best frame of mind heading to a Major in some six years as evident in storming four shots clear of the field midway through round two of the Shell Houston Open.

Garcia tamed the windy conditions not dropping a shot in a round of 67 to move to 12-under par on the Houston Golf Club course in suburban Humble.

However he then had his lead cut to just one with American Matt Kuchar, who had also been in contention in last week’s Valero Texas Open, shooting a 67 to end his round at 11-under par.

The 34-year old Garcia is no stranger to winning in the Lone Star State having broken through on the PGA Tour to capture the 2001 Colonial Championship in Fort Worth and then three years later succeeding at the Byron Nelson Classic in Irving.

Garcia, who is competing in Houston for a first time in five years and as the reigning Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion, capped his round sandwiching a fourth hole eagle either side of two birdies, and then also birdied three holes in succession from the 12th.

Sergio Garcia on route to a blistering 65 on day two of the Shell Houston Open.  (Photo - www.pgatour.com)

Sergio Garcia on route to a blistering 65 on day two of the Shell Houston Open. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)

“I was thinking when I teed off today I thought I would be able to shoot three, four-under and I would be happy as Larry,” he said.

“So to be able to shoot seven under in those conditions was really, really nice.”

Garcia continues to tread water in a pool of players still carrying the tag ‘One of the best golfers never to win a Major’.

But not since the 2008 PGA Championship when he lost out to Ireland’s Padraig Harrington does Garcia now look a genuine threat to become a third-born Spanish champion at Augusta Nationa.

“It’s difficult to say how good my golf is compared to the past, but I would say it’s the best it’s been since 2008 PGA,” he admitted.

“I felt really, really good there at Oakland Hills and I was close to winning.

“But while I felt good there every week is different but then next week, first of all, and hopefully this week I am feeling really good and there is nothing bothering me health-wise, and then I just feel good on the golf course, and hopefully things may happen for me.”

And after also being cruelly ‘roasted’ for his chicken comments at last May’s European Tour Gala Dinner, the 25-times winner is back in a good place also thanks to German-born girlfriend, Katharina Boehm.

Boehm caddied for Garcia when he ended a year-long drought in capturing last December’s Asian Tour season-ending Thailand Golf Championship in Bangkok.  And she’s been spotted following her beau about the course and always smiling when approached.

“There is no doubt I am in a comfortable place,” he said.

“Everybody knows pretty much what has gone on in my life, and it’s never fun to go through some of those emotions.

“But you get to learn from those downs and to really enjoy the highs  as much as you can.  So I am definitely happier outside the golf course, which makes me happy on the golf course.

“It doesn’t mean I am playing well all the time but at least, I feel like I am in a good frame of mind and in a lot better place.”

 



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