Sergio Garcia has admitted he plans to play in both the U.S. and European Tours next year.The 19-year-old Spaniard will have full playing rights on both tours because of his success in his first professional season, during which he has won twice in Europe and been third and second in the United States.
"I'm planning to play both tours. I have both cards and I do not want to be just a European PGA member or a European Tour member," Garcia said on the eve of the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo.
The Spaniard, who still has high school exams to finish and may do them on the Internet, said: "I'd like to play on both, though it would mean playing between 25 and 30 tournaments. I'm planning them (his exams) for right after the Million Dollar Challenge in South Africa in December, math’s, English, literature and philosophy."
He said he was a little surprised by his success this year. "I was hoping to play as well as I had been playing but I didn't know if I could because the first year as a pro is tough with everything that was going on around me.
Garcia, who through his golf shoe at sponsor boards reported: “My mentality has been on my side”.
The youngster may be best remembered this year for his spectacular shot off the root of a tree at the U.S. PGA championship in August, when he pressurized Tiger Woods for the title before finishing second.
"My goal is just to keep on playing golf and enjoying myself and I will try to win as many tournaments as I can".He was as affected as anyone was by the death of American Payne Stewart. "What happened to Payne Stewart is something that puts your feet on the ground. It shows you how small and insignificant we are and we can go to the other world any minute. You think to yourself: 'what am I doing here?’”
