Friend’s death spurs Garcia

SERGIO GARCIA has spoken of the sadness behind his victory in the opening event of Europe’s Ryder Cup qualifying race.

Garcia has dedicated his win in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland to Maria Garcia Estrada, a 24-year-old close friend who died on Friday night after a battle with lung cancer.

"It was a tough day for me I wanted to play well for her and her family," he said.

"I think I almost tried too hard.

"It's a shame she is gone. She was a lovely person and it was a big hit in my head when I found out she had died."

After finishing third in the US Open in June, Garcia revealed that her illness had changed his perspective on things.

"To see those things really wakes you up," he said at the time.

"You don't want to make a bogey, but it makes you realise it's really not that bad."

Europe's leading player in the world lost a four-stroke lead on Sunday, but then chipped in at the short 16th and parred the last two holes for a one-shot victory over Swede Peter Gustafsson.

"I think Maria, all the way from the skies, helped me. I hope she's watching," he said.

His victory was the best possible start to the qualifying campaign as far as captain Ian Woosnam is concerned and he will be pleased too that Paul Casey showed a return to form in coming third and defending champion Luke Donald, another member of last year's side, was joint fourth.

Garcia is one of the players who makes more appearances in America than in Europe and it would be a real bonus for the side if he can qualify rather than need one of Woosnam's two wild cards.

The win was worth €284,500, but Garcia could soon be handing over some money rather than receiving it.

Not for the first time, he faces a possible fine for a show of temper.

After three-putting the 17th for a double bogey six in his third round he kicked an advertising sign as he went to the next tee.

Tournament director David Probyn said: "Any breach of normal golfing etiquette is frowned upon and not acceptable. When incidents are reported to us, as this has been, we look into them and deal with them."

At the World Matchplay at Wentworth in 1999 the year he turned professional Garcia was reprimanded and warned about his future conduct after slipping on a tee, taking off the offending shoe and kicking it, almost hitting referee John Grant.

In the British Open at St Andrews the following summer he was reported for slamming a club into the turf after his ball finished in a divot.

But worst of all was the 2001 Greg Norman International in Sydney.

He was penalised for taking a wrong drop when leading the event and in his fury hit a golf buggy and a tree with his sand wedge before criticising chief referee John Paramor.

Garcia was thought to have been fined 7,360 then.

Casey, who in a closing 66 had an eagle and seven birdies but also four bogeys, said: "Overall I am very happy. I can't be too frustrated I feel I am getting back to where I want to be."

He missed six successive cuts earlier this summer, which included quitting the US Open after a first-round 85.

For the second week running, Donald had a chance to register his first win of the year, but could not sustain his challenge.

He said: "My finish was disappointing. I felt I still had a chance after birdieing the 13th, but I didn't make a single birdie on the par fives. That killed me."