Garcia to take a break

Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia will take the rest of the year off to prepare himself for the new season.

The Spaniard, who lost a play-off to Padraig Harrington at this year’s Open in Carnoustie, has withdrawn from the invitation-only Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa later this month to take an extended break.

Garcia, 27, had five weeks off in September before returning for three events on the European Tour, culminating at last week’s HSBC Champions tournament in China.

Some reports had suggested he was now planning a four-month absence, but his representative Clarke Jones said: “Sergio is only taking off the rest of 2007 and is looking forward to a very prosperous 2008 season.”