SPORTS> World Events
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SPORTS> World Events
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Battling Garcia storms into contention at FedEx Cup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-28 10:42 JERSEY CITY, New Jersey - Sergio Garcia demonstrated the volatility in the new FedExCup playoffs format on Thursday by going from the edge of elimination to becoming a solid contender for the $10 million prize.
"I'm doing great," the Spaniard said after his opening 65 at Liberty National gave him a share of the lead with Americans Paul Goydos and Steve Marino in the Barclays Classic. "A couple of weeks ago I was struggling." Garcia went from 115th on the U.S. tour points list to 89th by finishing fourth last week at the Wyndham Championship. The top 125 in points standings were invited to the $7.5 million Barclays, the first leg of the four-event series. Still, a bad opening round could well have meant a missed cut and his ouster from the race. The top 100 on the list advance to the next tournament, the Deutsche Bank Championship near Boston. Under a new weighted points system devised to maintain suspense in the playoffs, victory at Liberty National could lift world number seven Garcia to second on the list. "It's definitely been a little disappointing in the U.S.," Garcia said about his season. "But we are getting back into it. Last week was nice. "We are just looking forward to hopefully finishing the year well here, keep this good momentum going." Following the Boston event, 70 players qualify for the BMW Championship in Chicago. The top 30 reach the Tour Championship in Atlanta where points are reset to allow more players a shot at claiming the $10 million prize by winning that tournament. Garcia, the 2001 and 2004 Barclays winner when it was held at Westchester Country Club, said he planned to stay in the New York area after the tournament to watch the U.S. Open tennis. "I'm definitely going to stay for at least a couple of days and watch a little bit of tennis," said Garcia, looking a little scruffy as he lets his beard grow. "Not only (Rafael) Nadal, but some of the Spanish boys, Mardy Fish, who is a good friend of mine, and James Blake," he said about players he intends to watch at Flushing Meadows. "I love tennis, so I'll be out there." Garcia, who used to date tennis star Martina Hingis, hit balls with Nadal on the National Tennis Center courts after last year's tournament and has also played golf with him. "He can play. He's probably about an eight handicap, nine handicap. Hits it long. Not very fit," joked the Spaniard.
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