My game is in top shape, says title favorite Garcia

By Tony Jimenez

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Sergio Garcia, the title favorite in the absence of injured world number one Tiger Woods, said on Tuesday he had never felt better prepared for a British Open.

"I feel like my game is probably as good as it's ever been," the world number seven told reporters. "I obviously feel good with my game and feel good with myself.

"I feel like I'm getting better as a player every tournament. I'm learning more things about myself."

Garcia, beaten by Ireland's Padraig Harrington in a playoff at the 2007 British Open, has never won any of the top four prizes in golf but he said his Players Championship victory in Florida in May felt comparable to a major win.

"The strength of the field, the difficulty of the course, the conditions, it really felt like a major," said the 28-year-old Spaniard.

"The winning score was like a major and for us (players) it feels like the fifth major. We all know it's not but it's one of the biggest tournaments we play all year."

OPENING ROUND

Garcia said it would make no difference in Thursday's opening round at Royal Birkdale that the bookmakers listed him as the favorite.

"It doesn't matter what anybody else says," he said. "At the end of the day, I know I've got to be favorite myself, in me.

"I have to go out there and do what I know how to do, believe in my ability to do it and then give myself a chance at winning.

"It's nice to be favorite but it doesn't mean it's going to help me, like my chances are going to be better because of that. I still have to go out there and perform."

Garcia said he had more affection for the British Open than the three other major championships.

"I love this major, everything about it is great," he said. "Obviously it's the only one we play in Europe so it always makes it even more exciting for a European.

"Also I love the golf courses. We don't get to play on these kind of (links) courses too often and we try to enjoy the moment as much as possible and then the crowds and the history of the tournament, it's just unbelievable.

"I think they are definitely the best crowds we get all year with the knowledge and the respect they have not only for the game but for the players and everything around it."

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)