Europeans aim to take advantage in Hawaii

SERGIO Garcia and Carl Pettersson are the two Europeans hoping to take advantage this week of the absence of seven of the world’s top 10 players from the opening event of the new US Tour season.

The Mercedes Championship in Hawaii is restricted to winners of 2005 tournaments, but Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen have decided to extend their winter breaks - as has world number 17 Padraig Harrington - and Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Colin Montgomerie and Chris DiMarco did not qualify.

The field is only 28-strong and Garcia, the second highest-ranked player left in behind Vijay Singh, will be hoping to repeat his 2002 victory.