Sergio Garcia set for title defence

Sergio Garcia took a week off to unwind after Europe's Ryder Cup victory. Now the Spaniard is ready to defend his Lancome Trophy title.

"This may be a little less pressure than the Grand Slams and the Ryder Cup, but the Lancome Trophy is a big event and I'm ready to give my all to defend the title," Garcia said Wednesday.

Last year, Garcia overcame a four-stroke deficit over the final four holes to beat South Africa's Retief Goosen.

This week, Garcia's still enjoying Europe's 15 -12 win over the U.S. team at The Belfry.

"Winning it was out of this world," Garcia said. "It means so much to Europe and European players. You just see how much our players open up to each other. That's really one of our strengths. We try so hard for each other."

Garcia picked up three points for the European team and was criticized by some American players for his exuberant celebrations before all the singles matches had been completed.

After Ireland's Paul McGinley holed the winning putt, Garcia raced down the fairway to hug Pierre Fulke, who was on the last hole of his match with Davis Love III.

"I didn't feel what I did was over the top," Garcia said. "The important thing was it was a great Ryder Cup week.

"I've always loved team sports like soccer. To have a chance to play that kind of event in golf is great."

Garcia spent last week with friends in Spain, and managed to work a little bit of practice into his schedule.

"And now I'm looking forward to this week," he said. "I've always liked this Saint-Nom course. The fairways are pretty narrow and sloping, and the greens can get tricky if the wind blows, but I like it."

The field includes European Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, the captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Eduardo Romero and 18-year-old American Ty Tryon, who is making his second straight European start.

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