New hope Garcia has bald self-belief

The cyclonic effect was immediately obvious. Sergio Garcia, his head freshly shaven with a haircut appropriately known as a "No 1", didn't only have teenagers a year or two his junior scurrying after him for autographs yesterday. Indeed, on the eve of the Standard Life Loch Lomond tournament, it was mildly amusing to observe a number of middle-aged women breaking into a jog in their eagerness to obtain the signature of the kid known as El Nino.

A new star has been born, and even Darren Clarke - who had absented himself from the Murphy's Irish Open where Garcia made his professional breakthrough - acknowledged the consequences. "It's fantastic. He's a great new talent for the European Tour, and it's hardly surprising that he is another to come out of Spain," said Clarke.

It was just as well that Garcia didn't hear all the praise or he would have been in danger of letting it go to his newly-acquired shaven head. Colin Montgomerie, the player who has dominated golf in Europe this past decade, concurred with Clarke's observations: "He's got a super future ahead of him if he keeps himself fit and healthy . . . he is full of self-belief, which is everything in this game. Every so often a very, very good player comes along and we're lucky he is European on this occasion."

Almost everywhere, all the talk was of Garcia - all of which underpinned the international awareness his win has given to the Irish Open. And, unequivocally, the consensus was one that suggests a great future. So, it was just as well that only about 10 people observed yesterday that he is fallible like the rest of us. On the 10th hole in practice, his approach was wildly off target and found the creek to the left of the green. The shot evoked a little chuckle from his playing partner Miguel Angel Martin.

Up ahead, two Irishmen were ironing out problems of their own. Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley left Druids Glen as somewhat chastened men after missing the cut for the second successive year. "It's business as usual this week," said Harrington. "This is another tournament and you have to forget all about last week. That's the case whether you win or miss the cut. You have to refocus from week to week."

Harrington, indeed, requires a top four finish on the "bonnie banks" of verse and song if he is to avoid a trip to final qualifying for the British Open. "A top four is achievable," he insisted, adding: "It is there to be reached, although this is a course that will suit a big-hitter."

In some contrast, McGinley hasn't worked out exactly what he needs to earn direct exemption for Carnoustie. "I'm mainly concerned about playing myself back to form. I had a really good spell a few months back but I've struggled with my putting since then."

As regards Clarke, he has a distinct air of confidence about him. Last week, while Garcia was securing his maiden tour win, Clarke was playing at Royal Portrush. "I played for five days, just played, nothing else, and it was fantastic, exactly what I wanted. I'm hitting the ball very solid, and if I can peak for two of the next four weeks, I'll be very happy indeed." That four-week stretch sees Clarke take in the Loch Lomond starting today, next week's British Open and then the Dutch Open followed by the Smurfit European Open.

There are seven Irish players in this week's field: Clarke, Harrington and McGinley are joined by Eamonn Darcy, seeking to build on his tied-fourth place in the Irish Open, Des Smyth, Philip Walton and John McHenry. Apart from Clarke, Smyth is the only other Irish player exempt for the British Open but his mind, like those of Walton and McHenry, is focused more on winning sufficient prizemoney to help secure his tour card for next season.

Money earned here will be hardwon. With St£1 million on offer, a real quality field has been assembled.

After recent heavy rain, the Tom Weiskopf-designed course is playing long. Its similarity to American courses may not be the ideal preparation for Carnoustie, but Montgomerie observed: "It's a bit of a myth. There is heavy rough around the greens at Carnoustie and if I hit one pitch-and-run shot a day there, I'll be lucky. This is fantastic preparation for confidence-boosting if I finish in the top-three because this game is based on confidence."

Lee Westwood, the defending champion, would concur after rediscovering his confidence in recent weeks. "My game didn't look so good a month ago, but it's starting to look more promising now," he said.