Now for a major, says Garcia

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Spain's Sergio Garcia won the $5 million HSBC Champions on Monday to become world number two and immediately targeted a victory at one of golf's major tournaments next year.

The 28-year-old overhauled American Phil Mickelson to claim the title of the best active player in the world by winning a playoff with Oliver Wilson at the tournament that aspires to be Asia's major.

"It's awesome, it's great, it's something extra for the year," he said of claiming the second ranking behind the injured world number one Tiger Woods.

"I think next goal is trying to win a major," he added. "Well, been trying for quite a while, but winning a major would be the next goal.

"Attacking number one probably depends a little bit on how much (Woods) takes off and if I keep playing well.

"It's possible, mainly because he's been injured, but we know that as soon as he comes out, he's going to play well ... but I've never been this close to number one and it's exciting to be there."

Garcia has finished second three times at golf's big four events.

In 1999 he lost out to Woods at the U.S. PGA Championship, last year he went down to Padraig Harrington at the British Open before finishing second behind the Irishman again this year at the U.S. PGA.

"I think I'm getting closer," he said after his first round in Shanghai on Thursday.

"I think I had some good chances. Unfortunately I haven't won one yet but just got to keep working hard at it and believe in myself, and just, it will come. So hopefully I'm very, very close. Maybe this coming season.

The 2008 season has been a good one for the Spaniard with an impressive victory at The Players Championship and again on home soil at the Castello Masters two weeks ago.

Garcia said he had no plans to spend his $833,000 pay check.

"I'm just going to try to put it in a bank that doesn't go bankrupt," he joked.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)