Spain's Sergio Garcia fired a first-round 66 to seize the lead in the prestigious Players Championship.
Garcia took advantage of ideal morning conditions at the Sawgrass TPC, a course he says reminds him of Valderrama in his homeland, notching seven birdies in his six-under effort.
That was good enough for a two-stroke advantage over Americans Kenny Perry and Paul Goydos.
"I played very smart, hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, and I made some good putts," said Garcia, who was runner-up to Phil Mickelson here last year. "I've been close two or three times, so I'm looking forward to giving myself plenty more chances."
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Putting woes have frustrated Garcia for the past few years, with his last victory coming back in 2005.
However, he said he believes he is turning things around after starting to work with short game guru Stan Utley, a former touring pro.
"My main idea was to get back to the way I used to putt 10 or 12 years ago, when I was a good putter," said Garcia, who was runner-up to Ireland's Padraig Harrington at the British Open last year.
"We try not to get too technical. I'm very excited about how my game is coming along."
Americans Heath Slocum and Todd Hamilton, Aussie Steve Elkington, England's Ian Poulter and Sweden's Niclas Fasth were three shots off the pace on 69.
Slocum said the wind was a factor in his performance.
"Well, the wind is going to always make it a little tougher, there's no doubt about it," he said. "A good shot could turn into a marginal shot so I'll have to deal with that.
"It's just part of it. Again, you're going to have to take your chances when you get them and hopefully make a bunch of putts."
Mickelson was four adrift after a 70 that included five birdies and three bogeys.
South Africa's US Masters champion, Trevor Immelman, who has struggled since his triumph at the Augusta last month, withdrew from the tournament citing illness.
Since capturing his first major championship, Immelman has failed to break par in his two starts, missing the cut at both the Byron Nelson Championship and the Wachovia Championship.
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This article was originally published on page 18 of Cape Argus on May 09, 2008
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