The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Garcia dedicates start to murdered champ
Sergio ‘heartbroken’ over killing of player
Sergio Garcia dedicated an encouraging start in his Ryder Cup warm-up event to Celia Barquin Arozamena, the promising young Spanish golfer murdered on a golf course in the United States on Monday.
Garcia carded seven birdies and two bogeys in an opening 66 in the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura to end the day three shots behind Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who returned a flawless 63.
The former Masters champion said on social media earlier this week he had been “heartbroken” by the shocking news about 22-year-old European Ladies’ Amateur Champion Barquin, who was found dead on a course in Iowa.
The pair had met in the past and Garcia told Sky Sports: “It was nice to shoot a nice score and dedicate that a little bit to Celia after what happened earlier in the week. I was wearing black for that, too.”
Garcia had not competed since the middle of August after failing to qualify for the Fed Ex Cup play-offs on the PGA Tour, although that did not stop European captain Thomas Bjorn handing the 38-year-old a wild card for next week’s Ryder Cup.
Herbert carded an eagle and six birdies to finish a shot ahead of Ireland’s Shane Lowry and the English duo of Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, with China’s Li Haotong a shot further back.
Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil is 10 shots off the lead after an opening round 73 while Connor Syme, of Drumoig, is three shots further back on five-over par.
Top Scots are Stephen Gallacher and amateur Sam Locke, who both carded three-under 68s. Scott Jamieson and David Drysdale scored 70, Richie Ramsay 72 and Marc Warren 75.