Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Garcia grabs Players Championship lead, looks to end slump

Wire Reports

Sergio Garcia had seven birdies Thursday at The Players Championship, leading to a 6-under-par 66 and a two-shot lead in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The Spaniard, 28, has strung together three impressive rounds on Sawgrass' frightening Stadium Course, even if his timing is a little off. The first two scores (67-66) came last year and enabled him to finish second.

In his 10th year as a pro, Garcia has been an enigma. No other player younger than Tiger Woods has contended so often in the majors and showed so much variety in his game. He is tied with Adam Scott for most PGA Tour victories (six) by players under 30 but is trying to break out of a career-worst 0-for-53 drought.

Garcia, who had relied almost exclusively on his father, recently turned to putting guru Stan Utley for help.

"My main idea was to get back to the way I used to putt, like 10 or 12 years ago, when I was a good putter," Garcia said. "At least now I have some rounds where I come out and say I actually shot."

Added Ian Poulter, among five players tied for third at 69: "It's no secret to anybody that he's been struggling with his putting for a little while, but as soon as he gets it right, we all know he's going to be winning.... If he's putting well this week, then who knows? And watch out."

Island gods are angry?

Paul Goydos, tied with Kenny Perry for second at 68, usually throws a few old balls into the lagoon around No. 17's island green during practice rounds. He forgot to do it this week. In the first round, Goydos landed his tee shot pin high and it bounced over the back edge, though he ended up with only a bogey. He was among 19 players who contributed 20 balls into the water.

Afternoon no delight

Sawgrass turned tricky, if not downright difficult, in blustery afternoon conditions. Only eight of the 34 rounds under par came in the afternoon. Sergio Garcia, Kenny Perry and Paul Goydos play in the afternoon today. Todd Hamilton was best among late starters with a 69, and Wachovia winner Anthony Kim shot 70.

Can Phil repeat?

Phil Mickelson, trying to become the first repeat winner in the 34-year history of this tournament, was flirting with the leaders until a sloppy middle to his round put him at 70. Coming off consecutive birdies, including a wedge to 4 feet on the 17th, Mickelson failed to reach the 18th green from the right rough, then made bogey from 95 yards away in the middle of the fairway on No. 1.

Not seeing green

Kenny Perry, 47, called his 4-under 68 Thursday the best round of golf he has played all year. It could have been much better had he not missed three birdie putts from inside 10 feet. "I just don't read the greens very good anymore," Perry said. Perry had Lasik surgery a decade ago and had an enhancement a couple of years later. But his eyesight started deteriorating last year, forcing him to wear contact lenses during the day and glasses at night.

Shot of the day

Rich Beem holed out from 132 yards on the seventh fairway for an eagle on his way to a 72.

Double whammy for Els

Was it the breeze or the water? Ernie Els played in the afternoon and had trouble at No. 17. He was at 2-under par until his wedge came up 20 feet short of the island green at No. 17, and he barely kept his third shot on land. He wound up with a triple bogey on 17, and a 12-foot birdie on the final hole for a round of 72 didn't improve his spirits much.

Briefly

Masters champion Trevor Immelman withdrew before the start because of a stomach bug.

Hunter Mahan (illness) withdrew after two holes, Jason Gore (illness) left after four holes, Cameron Beckman (back injury) stopped after 13 holes, and Ryan Armour withdrew after shooting 81.

Immelman was replaced by Dustin Johnson, a 23-year-old rookie who shot 73. Johnson arrived at the course around 6:15 a.m., and was sitting in the locker room watching TV when he received a text message telling him he was teeing off at 8:30 a.m.

By the numbers

1 Time that Tom Lehman has gone in the water at No. 17 in 59 times he has played the hole.

17 Strokes under par for Sergio Garcia in his last three rounds at TPC Sawgrass.

18 Strokes over par for Charles Howell III at No. 17 in his seven years of play in The Players Championship.