Garcia hoping to retain title

Sergio Garcia is hoping to become just the second player to successfully defend a title at Westchester Country Club when play begins in the Barclays Classic today.

Ernie Els won the tournament in 1996 and 1997 and Garcia joined him last year as one of five multiple winners of the event by outlasting Padraig Harrington and Rory Sabbatini in a play-off.

Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Vijay Singh also have won the event twice.

Garcia, who also won at Westchester in 2001, comes into the tournament playing solid golf after winning the Booz Allen at Congressional and finishing tied for third in the US Open at Pinehurst.

“I feel good,” Garcia said. “I tied for third at a Major and that is never a bad thing.”

If there is one place Garcia might pick to play the week after being subjected to the gruelling conditions of Pinehurst No 2, this would probably be the course.

The talented Spaniard has 19 consecutive rounds of par or better at the Barclays and is the all-time leading money winner at the event with over $2m (€1.7m).

“I guess since the first year I played here in 2000, I really liked the course,” Garcia added. “I am really looking forward to this week.

“I’ve had good success here. It is probably my best course on Tour and I just want to keep it going.”

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are taking the week off and are not entered but Singh, Chris DiMarco, Kenny Perry, Harrington and Fred Couples will make it hard for Garcia to win again.

The Barclays also sees the professional debut of Ryan Moore, who was the nation’s number-one amateur.

Moore, who excepted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the event, wrapped up one of the most successful amateur careers in golf history at the US Open.

He won the amateur title at nearby Winged Foot and has already proved he can play with the world’s best, finishing tied for 13th at the Masters.

“I’m just excited, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Moore said. “For this to be done and out of the way and just ready to get on my way and hopefully try to earn my Tour card.

“That’s just the next step for me. I’m just looking forward to the road ahead.”

The course record of 62 is shared by Peter Jacobsen (1982), Jimmy Wright (1976) and Dan Sikes (1967).