Spanish prodigy to play in Ireland

THE young man hailed as the new Seve Ballesteros is bound for Ireland! Sergio Garcia - the 17 year old Spaniard who is tipped to become Europe's answer to Tiger Woods - will lead his country's challenge to claim the European Men's Amateur Team Championship for the first time, when the event is staged at Portmarnock on June 25th-29th.

Garcia has taken the advice of Ryder Cup captain Ballesteros and resisted the temptation to unleash his remarkable talent on the professional stage... but, even now, there are frightening similarities between Garcia and go Ifs newest superstar Woods.

The Spaniard was groomed for stardom by his father Victor - a professional at Meditteraneo Club de Campo near the family home in Castellon - from the age of three; was a scratch golfer at 14, and became the youngest ever winner of the European Amateur Championship when lust 15. Garcia also won the European Young Masters Champion at Wentworth in 1995.

"I live, breathe and eat golf," said Garcia, who led Spain to the European Boys' title last year and helped them to third place in the Eisenhower Trophy (world championship). "When I'm not at school I spend between six and seven hours on the practice ground. It's my life and I'm totally determined and committed to making it to the top."

Garcia has already played in a number of professional tournaments as an amateur, including the Mediterranean Open, Spanish Open and British Open (at Royal Lytham St Annes last year). But he has deferred joining the professional ranks on Ballesteros's advice: "I have always looked up to Seve because he has been a great ambassador for Spain and golf. Hopefully one day I will be talked about in the same breath as him. I've played with him a number of times and he warned me not to turn pro too soon in case I burn myself out."

Meanwhile, Croatia, one of the most recent national associations to affiliate to the Royal and Ancient, have been added to the entries for the European Team Championships, which are being staged in Ireland for the second time (Killarney in 1975 was the previous venue). It brings the total nations competing to 22, the highest ever entry for the championship.