Sergio Garcia hopes his consistent recent form can bring about victory in the year’s last Major at the US PGA Championship this week.
The Spaniard has finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy on his last two starts at The Open Championship and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, and currently sits second in The Race to Dubai.
But despite a string of excellent displays throughout 2014, Garcia has only won once – in Qatar back in January – and hopes to re-enter the winner’s circle at Valhalla.
“It's been a good year,” said Garcia. “Obviously a lot of high finishes, some really good chances of winning tournaments. Unfortunately, it's only happened once this year in Qatar, but I'm excited about it.
“It's another big week here this week in Valhalla. So we're going to try to do more of the same and keep playing well and see if we can be up there again on Sunday and have another good chance.
“I obviously feel quite good. I'm excited about it. It will be nice to play well again this week.”
Having twice been denied by McIlroy in recent weeks, Garcia could be forgiven for feeling some animosity towards his Ryder Cup team-mate, but the 34 year old insists that is not the case.
“He's a wonderful player,” added Garcia. “We're quite friendly with each other, we get along well, we enjoy each other's company.
“It's good to see him playing well. Obviously he's got a lot of talent. The only thing I can do is keep improving, keep getting better and when we're both up there again, make it even tougher or impossible.
“I think that I'm happy, obviously I feel like things around me are right where I want them to be, and that obviously puts me in a nicer situation when I go on to the golf course.
“Don't get me wrong; it's not just good playing because of happiness - it's work and confidence and all those things, and things happening, too.”
Another player threatening to make a Major breakthrough this week is American Rickie Fowler, who by finishing tied for second with Garcia at Royal Liverpool maintained his record as the only player to finish in the top-ten at every Major so far this season.
“I'm definitely looking forward to this week,” said Fowler. “The Majors have been successful this year and the prep work leading up the week before has been successful as far as finishing well going into the Majors.
“So far, going through the checklist, everything is taken care of and looking forward to some final work today on the range.
I've put myself in great positions. You may have to get lucky at times, but playing well on Sunday is key. I did that at The Open.”
