US Open: Patience the key for Garcia

Sergio Garcia believes patience remains the key as he tries to win his first Major title this weekend.

Denied only by Tiger Woods at the 1999 US PGA Championship in Chicago, Garcia has given himself another chance of glory at the US Open in Tulsa.

And this time he knows it will take a near-miracle for Woods to be the man to stop him.

At two-under-par the only players ahead of 21-year-old Garcia going into the third round today were surprise leaders Retief Goosen, Mark Brooks and JL Lewis on four-under.

Woods, who came into the week trying to make it a mind-boggling fifth successive Major win, is seven shots further back and relieved to be still in the tournament thanks to two late birdies in the second round.

‘‘You can’t be impatient,’’ said the young Spaniard. ‘‘I am a different player to two years ago and I think I can handle myself better.

‘‘Even if Tiger was ahead of me I would think this was a great position to be in and I’d have a great chance.

‘‘I would not say I was a boy at Medinah and a man now, but I am that little bit older for sure.’’

Garcia, just two months older than Woods was when he won the 1997 Masters, added a 68 yesterday to his opening 70.

Almost as important as the score to him was that he got finished before nightfall.

Thirty-three players didn’t and they were teeing off again at 7am today.

‘‘It’s always difficult to come back for one hole or something and then wait until 2.30 or whatever,’’ added Garcia. ‘‘I can have a nice sleep now and then come out for what is a very important round.

‘‘Tiger needs a good one at least four-under because you’re not going to shoot 62 or 63 on the last day with the course drying out.

‘‘I’ve just got to try to keep doing what I have been. I’ve putted pretty good, hit a lot of good irons and I managed to sort my driving out in the second round.’’

Goosen, Brooks and Lewis were all aware the hard bit starts now as they attempt to stay out in front, even if Woods is not hot on their heels yet.

In addition to Garcia, the likes of David Duval and Phil Mickelson, both desperate to land their first majors after several near-misses, are well in touch and Colin Montgomerie, joint 11th on one-over, is a threat as well in the event he loves so much.

European Tour player Goosen played junior golf with Ernie Els and was expected to make his mark in the Majors long before now.

His best finish to date, though, remains two 10th places in the Open and he is perhaps best remembered for being unbeaten when South Africa won the Alfred Dunhill Cup at St Andrews in 1997 and 1998.

He also featured in a memorable match with Garcia at the Cisco World Match Play at Wentworth two years ago.

Goosen probably recalls it for going to the turn in 29 and winning, but Garcia hit the headlines for taking off his shoe on one tee, kicking it in anger and almost hitting the referee.

On being so far ahead of Woods the softly-spoken Goosen said: ‘‘I heard a couple of big roars and I thought he was on a roll again, but a nine-shot lead over him is definitely not safe.

‘‘In his first Masters win he played the first nine in 40, then came home in 30. It shows anything can happen.’’

Brooks is the one Major winner among the leaders, but his 1996 US PGA victory after a play-off with Kenny Perry was his last win of any sort, while Lewis, of Welsh descent, has never featured on such a stage before.

Montgomerie said he expected ‘‘fireworks’’ from Woods this afternoon, but was more concerned about getting closer to the lead himself.

‘‘I’ve got to hole a few more putts,’’ said the Scot, who a week ago did not even know for sure that he would be playing.

That was because of the back injury which forced him out after 21 holes of the English Open.

‘‘For the first time ever I came here and wanted some heat. It’s helped my back a lot,’’ he added.

Woods was in danger of only his second missed cut as a professional until he birdied the 12th and 13th, but a bogey at the 16th for five-over has given him a real mountain to climb.

He said: ‘‘I’ve tried and just haven’t hit the ball as crisp as I would like.

‘‘I’ve had to get up and down from divots, bunkers, rough, you name it. I’m putting pretty good, but most are for pars.

‘‘I’m trying as hard as I can, but sometimes things don’t go your way. There’s nothing you can do about it.

‘‘The cut was the last thing on my mind. I can’t control that. All I can control is my own shots and that’s all I focused on.

‘‘Hopefully I’ll get myself right back in the golf game. If I can get back to level par after another 18 or 27 holes you never know.

‘‘It was just a little bit of timing, but I finally got in sync and shouldn’t have put myself in some of the spots I did.

‘‘I’ve pulled a couple, I’ve flared (faded) a couple, hit a few right, a few long, a few short. I’ve got the whole gamut covered.

‘‘Right now I’m behind and I need to go out there and play a good round. It’s a US Open and if you can play a good solid round you can get yourself up on the leaderboard.

‘‘That’s what happens when you play a course that’s set up this difficult. That’s the beauty of it.’’

Thomas Bjorn is alongside Montgomerie on one-over, while Bernhard Langer is next best of the Europeans at two-over with five holes of his second round to complete.

Padraig Harrington stands three-over, Darren Clarke five-over after his eight at the long 13th late last night and Nick Faldo and Gary Orr squeezed in at six-over thanks to the 10-shot rule.

Goosen could have knocked them out at five-under with one to play, but bogeyed the last.