Part-time footballer Sergio Garcia brilliantly ignited hopes of qualifying for next month’s Open Championship with a sizzling eight under par 64 and move to 12-under par and a share of second place on day three of the BMW International Open in Munich.
Garcia snatched nine birdies with his only disappointment being a bogey at 17 on the Nord Eichenried course.
Sergio Garcia back in form and looking to play next month's Open Championship. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The 31-year old Spaniard produced his best score since a opening day 63 in his own hosted 2009 Castellon Masters.
He is among five players tied in second place and trailing two shots behind England’s Mark Foster who shot a 66 to move to 14-under par.
Garcia’s round was two shots shy of the Munich course record as he looks to also end a three year winless drought since capturing the PGA Tour’s Players Championship at Sawgrass.
As well, he hasn’t won on the European Tour since capturing 2009 HSBC Champions event staged in November 2008 in Shanghai.
But at the forefront of Garcia’s mind is teeing-up in the July 14th starting Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in Kent.
Garcia is currently lying 16th on a mini Open Championship money list in effect from BMW PGA Championship and concluding this Sunday in Munich.
However for Garcia to compete in 140th Open Championship he must, without taking into consideration other scenarios, now finish either first or second in Munich.
That would take him past the absent Robert Rock who leads the ‘mini’ money list and also fellow England player Simon Dyson who is second but missed the BMW cut.
“It was important to have a good round today, to have a chance of making the Open Championship”, he said.
“Anybody who knows me knows that the Open Championship is my favourite event so I would not enjoy missing it.
“But if that’s the case, well it is what it is. But I am hoping that I can go out there tomorrow and have another great round, and if I get the win, perfect.
“If not, to finish high up there and see if we can make The Open.”
Twelve months ago, Garcia was at one of his lowest ebbs having missed the cut by 10 shots.
And to take his mind off his golf, Garcia has been playing football with a local Castellon side and also enjoy the odd tennis match.
Though in recent weeks the winner of a dozen tournaments around the globe has been again showing fans what he’s capable of on the golf course.
Garcia arrived in the Bavarian capital buoyed by a seventh place finish in the U.S. Open that lifted to 47th on the Race to Dubai money list and also to 64th on the World Rankings.
“Things are definitely better and what I have been doing on the golf course has helped a lot how I am feeling,” he said.
“I know by playing football has its risks and playing tennis has its risks, but that’s what I love to doing. I love playing golf but I also love playing other sports, and that has helped make me a better golfer.
“Obviously, the happier I am outside, the happier or the more I enjoy when I’m inside, so it’s good to see that it’s slowly getting there.”
And Garcia said he’s not about to give up the football as he’s playing in a social match on Monday ahead of his local Castellon team getting back into competition in August.
