Westwood and Garcia beat the heat

Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia managed to beat the heat, if not the course, during the first round of the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

The European pair are looking to join Zach Johnson, Angel Cabrera and Padraig Harrington as first-time major winners this season. The last time all four majors were one by first-timers was 2003.

England’s Westwood was tied for the lead at one point but settled for a one under par 69, while Spaniard Garcia bogeyed his final two holes en route to an even par 70.

Both players kept themselves in the hunt despite playing on a tough course in hot and breezy conditions in Oklahoma.

Garcia said: “You’re constantly sweating and you have to dry yourself, dry your arms, your hands and the grip and everything – and 15 seconds later you’re sweating again.

“So it’s not easy. It takes a lot of time to get ready.

“You have so many things to contend with, the gloves get sweaty and you have to keep everything dry.”

Worksop’s Westwood said: “It’s just the sort of thing you have to deal with in this part of the States at this time of year.

“It’s pretty hot, but if you don’t let the conditions get to you, it’s playable.”

Garcia certainly found the course playable, at least early on, as he carded three straight birdies on his front nine.

He closed with a pair of bogeys, but it was still a good effort considering how his last major championship ended.

With the lead on 18 at Carnoustie, Garcia had a 10-foot par putt lip out.

Instead of clinching his first major, he found himself in a play-off with Harrington – and the Irishman went on to be the one to capture his maiden major victory.

It’s not as if Garcia thought about his misfortune throughout his round today, but he certainly has not forgotten it.

He continued: “You don’t forget it, there were probably 95 positive things and five negative things, so you can’t forget a week that is so positive.

“I think the Open, even though I didn’t win, it’s going to be good for me in the future, just getting in position and holding the lead for three days.

“That is definitely going to help me throughout my career.”