Romero hungry for further success at the top

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PEBBLE BEACH, California (Reuters) - Argentina's Andres Romero, the hottest player in the game for a three-week stretch last year, is eager to make the most of his first season as a PGA Tour member.

Romero, who captivated fans around the world with a spectacular final round at the 2007 British Open, knows he can perform at the highest level and is hungry to do so on a more regular basis.

After finishing third in the British Open last July, Romero built on his rapidly growing self-belief by clinching his maiden European Tour title at the Players Championship the following week.

"Going into the British, I felt like I could compete but that I was just one of the guys," the 26-year-old told Reuters after firing a one-over-par 73 in Thursday's opening round at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

"After the British Open, I knew I could really compete with all these guys and I was up to their level. That feeling just carried over to the Players.

"Those weeks were unforgettable and really opened up my eyes. Not only was it good to experience it then but it now gives me great confidence for the future."

Romero, who took up golf at the age of eight, soared from 114th in the world rankings to 29th within a fortnight by winning the Players Championship in Germany by three strokes.

That breakthrough victory earned him a spot in the elite WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, the following week when he maintained his golden run by tying for sixth.