An ill-at-ease Sergio Garcia revealed serious friction with his new caddie, Fanny Sunesson, on the eve of the Andersen Consulting Matchplay. Indeed one of the few points the 20-year-old seemed clear about was his defence of the Murphy's Irish Open title in last June.
"Of course I will be at Ballybunion," he said, as if to do otherwise was quite unthinkable. Apart from that, his playing schedule beyond the US Masters in April seemed decidedly vague.
In a highly publicised move last November, Garcia joined forces with Sunesson after she had ended a highly productive, 10-year working relationship with Nick Faldo. And by his own admission yesterday, all has not been sweetness and light.
"It was a little tough at the beginning, but things are getting better between us," he said. "After being with the same guy for 10 years, it was hard for her to change. And she had to change a lot of things."
With obvious reluctance, the Spaniard went on: "There was the problem that Faldo is a more mechanical player than me. And there is also the fact that I'm a longer hitter." He managed to force a smile, however, when admitting that she has to spend less time on the practice range.
Then he got to the nub of the problem - the sharp contrast between his direct, typically boyish approach to the game and the painstaking deliberation of the Englishman. "I don't like a caddie to do too much thinking about a shot," he said. "When there is too much thinking, you can't concentrate on the shot. What I really want is clear, sharp decisions."
The inference in that last statement was quite clear, and hardly boded well for their future together. It could be that Garcia is already on the lookout for his third caddie since turning professional after taking the amateur medal in last year's Masters.
His first "looper" was the American, Jerry Higgin-botham, but they parted company last October.
Meanwhile, the prospect of a first round meeting today with the experienced American Loren Roberts, didn't seem to fire his enthusiasm. But a generally low-key mood could be attributed to some rather indifferent form in recent months.
Last August, a month after his victory in the Irish Open, Garcia was runner-up to Tiger Woods in the USPGA Championship at Medinah and was tied seventh behind him in the NEC Invitational at Firestone two weeks later. His only other World Golf Championship event was the American Express at Valderrama, where he again shared seventh place behind Woods.
So far this year, he has had two disappointing appearances on the US Tour, missing the cut in the Phoenix Open last month and then battling to a share of 35th place after a poor start to the AT and T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach. Still, given his age, there has got to be some comfort in two victories and earnings of £1.96 million in his first year.
"I have never played with Roberts but I know he will be hard to beat, especially with his short game," said Garcia. And for all his lack of sparkle, he was still aware of a possible meeting with David Duval in the third round. Which suggests that the spirit is certainly willing.
