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Garcia confident after promising start at Sawgrass

09/05/2008

Sergio Garcia has claimed he is confident of winning his first tournament in three years after ending the first round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass two shots ahead.

Garcia, 28, fired a six-under par round of 66, two ahead of American's Kenny Perry and Paul Goydos.

"I really like the way I'm stroking it and I'm pretty happy with everything that's going on," Garcia said after his round.

"The greens were very nice, very quick but rolling very, very true. If you managed to put some good rolls in there, you were going to make some putts. I wouldn't say it was easy but it was definitely not as tough.

"The only thing I can do is keep giving myself chances, and it's going to happen.

"I feel like I'm getting closer and closer. At least now I feel like I can do it and it's just a matter of being able to do it."

England's Ian Poulter shot a 69 in yesterday's first round for a share of fourth place.

World number two Phil Mickelson is a shot back after carding a two-under par round of 70.

The Players Championship is viewed as golf's 'fifth major' and the field will be looking to capitalise on the absence of world number one Tiger Woods who is currently undergoing surgery on his knee.