Golf

Sergio Garcia struggles in Spain as Trevor Fisher sets the pace

The Spaniard sits 10 shots behind the lead

An opening round 65 has put Trevor Fisher at the top of the leaderboard during the early stages of the Spanish Open. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
An opening round 65 has put Trevor Fisher at the top of the leaderboard during the early stages of the Spanish Open. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Thu May 14 2015 - 14:39

Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia gave himself a mountain to climb to challenge for a second Open de Espana title after a poor opening round on Thursday.

Garcia, who came into the event on the back of losing a play-off for the Players Championship on Sunday, could only manage a three-over-par 75 at El Prat to finish 10 shots behind leader Trevor Fisher of South Africa.

The first round was also a struggle for the Irish contingent of Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane who sit on two over par and four over par respectively.

Garcia carded six bogeys and three birdies in the tougher afternoon conditions, although Darren Fichardt was also among the later starters and shot 66 to join England’s Tommy Fleetwood and home favourite Eduardo de la Riva in joint second.

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After a long flight from Johannesburg on Monday, Fisher only managed nine holes of practice on Tuesday before walking the rest of the course during the pre-tournament pro-am.

However, that did not prevent the world number 172 from carding eight birdies and just one bogey in an opening 65 in pursuit of his second European Tour title of the season following victory in the Africa Open in March.

“I hit one or two loose shots but felt I kept the momentum going, which is key to any good round of golf,” Fisher told Sky Sports 4. “I sank one or two good putts for par and overall putted really well today, which helped.

“It’s been a massive change since my win. I’ve got a lot to learn, a lot to see. I’m taking in everything and trying to enjoy every week as it comes. Obviously I can play the full schedule now and get to play with the top players in the world. Hopefully we can put a few more good rounds together.”

Fleetwood had two eagles and three birdies in his 66 as he looks to remain inside the world’s top 60 after next week’s BMW PGA Championship in order to qualify for next month’s US Open.

“I was gutted to miss out on the Masters but at the moment my golf is in a good place so I’ve just got to keep my head down and keep going,” said world number 54 Fleetwood, who lost to compatriot Danny Willett in the quarter-finals of the WGC-Cadillac Match Play earlier this month.

“I did not play well in the pro-am on Wednesday then did some good work on the range and came out this morning and hit it really good. I did not miss many fairways and it was just a case of holing a few putts.

“The greens are tricky and we had to make the most of them this morning. Yesterday was firm, fast and tough and this morning was softer and the greens were a bit slower.

“Having the conditions like we did you had to go out and try to make a score.”

De la Riva is attached to the tournament venue of El Prat and features, along with his father and grandfather, on the honours board for winners of the Barcelona Championship in the clubhouse.

Starting on the back nine, the qualifying school graduate hole out from 110 yards to eagle the par-five 10th and birdied the 11th and 12th, before picking up shots on the second and fourth in a flawless round.

“It’s great to play at home and to sleep in my own bed,” he said. “I don’t feel any extra pressure; I just need to play my game and keep doing the same things.

“I enjoy playing in front of my family and all my friends and I will try to make them enjoy watching me.”

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, whose victory 12 months ago extended his record as the oldest winner in European Tour history, had been two under after five holes but eventually had to settle for a level-par 72.