Garcia keen to get back on track

SERGIO GARCIA yesterday thanked family and friends for helping him through one of the saddest times in his life.

Just at the time he was challenging Tiger Woods for the world number one spot earlier this year, Garcia’s relationship with Greg Norman’s daughter Morgan-Leigh was ended by her.

Now, pushed down to fourth in the rankings by Paul Casey’s win at Wentworth on Sunday, the 29-year-old Spaniard is hoping to get his career moving in the right direction again in the European Open at the London Club in Kent.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into it and start playing the way I know I can,” said Garcia, runner-up to England’s Ross Fisher in the event last year.

“I definitely have more enthusiasm than I did probably a month ago. I practised hard, but when your head is not where it should be it doesn’t matter how much you practise – you’re not thinking about what you are doing.

“It’s been getting better slowly. My family has really helped a lot (as well as) my friends being around me and trying to make sure that I am going the right way.

“It’s just one of those things that you’ve got to be a little patient (with).

“I think that you get through things and it just makes you stronger.

“I feel happier on the course and I’m definitely looking forward to playing more than I was, so that’s a very positive thing. Now it’s up to me.”

Garcia has not even had a top 10 finish since January and his last five tournaments in America have been particularly disappointing – 31st, 77th, 38th (at The Masters), missed cut and 22nd in his defence of the Players Championship.

This is his first event in Europe this year, but he flew to it from Turnberry, where in July he would dearly love to end his long wait for a first major – if it does not come at next month’s US Open, of course.

Garcia plays the opening two rounds with Fisher, who was inspired last year in winning by seven, and world number five Henrik Stenson, his successor as Players champion.