The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Garcia black day as he remembers compatriot Sergio dedicates super 66 to Arozamena as Herbert sets pace
Sergio Garcia dedicated an encouraging start in his Ryder Cup warm-up event to Celia Barquin Arozamena, the promising young Spanish golfer who was 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 at Vilamoura to end the day three shots behind Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who returned a flawless 63.
Former Masters champion Garcia said on social media this week he had been “heartbroken” by the shocking news about 22-year-old European women’s amateur champion Barquin, who was found dead on a course in Iowa. The pair had met in the past and Garcia said: “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 FedEx 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.
“You are obviously a bit rusty, so there are little things you have to work with in your mind,” Garcia added.
“The important thing today was that I stayed patient and calm. Even when I missed some birdie putts early on, Tiger Woods grabbed a share of the lead in the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Woods holed from 25ft for an eagle on the 18th at East Lake to complete a fiveunder-par 65 and join American Ryder Cup team-mate Rickie Fowler at the head of the field. World number one Justin Rose shot a 66 and Rory McIlroy a 67. I kept at it. The goal was to come here and do as well as I can, to get the competition juices going for the 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.
Wallace was overlooked for a Ryder Cup wild card despite three victories this season, including victory in a four-man play-off in the final qualifying event in front of Bjorn.
Press and Journal columnist Stephen Gallacher and Stonehaven’s Sam Locke made promising starts in Vilamoura. Gallacher carded a three-under 68, while Locke was four under after 15 holes before dropping a shot on 16 and parring the final two holes for a 68.
Scott Jamieson and David Drysdale are both one under, while Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay shot a 72. Bradley Neil carded a 73. Marc Warren, on 75, and Connor Syme, on 76, have work to do to make the cut.