Garcia takes a leaf from Seve's book

A Spaniard under a tree, ball parked against a root, impossible shot. A mighty slash, flying debris, ball on green. Sound familiar?

Spain has a new Seve Ballesteros, Europe a glittering hero and the world of golf another superstar. What Sergio Garcia did at 19, chasing Tiger Woods all the way at the US PGA Championship, producing the spectacular and igniting the passions of a foreign nation, Ballesteros did at the same age 23 years ago.

Britain came under the spell of Ballesteros at Royal Birkdale in 1976 when he finished second to Johnny Miller alongside Jack Nicklaus.

Now another swashbuckler with a cheeky smile, enormous flair and a talent touched by genius has arrived to pick up the matador's cape dropped by Ballesteros when his children arrived and his desire departed.

Watching Garcia thunder into the ball beneath the tree was so reminiscent of Seve as to be creepy. What Garcia did next was pure teenager. He chased after his ball so quickly he should have been tested for excessive levels of nandrolone. Dalton Grant could not have jumped higher as he tried to look over the hill to see where his ball finished.

That is where the difference from Ballesteros comes in. The former Open and US Masters champion was so confident of his ability he would have known the ball would be on the short grass. It was not surprising Garcia should refer to his mentor after finishing second to Woods, one shot back, the youngest US PGA runner-up and now a member of Mark James' Brookline dozen.

"I've learned quite a lot about those kind of shots playing with Seve," said Garcia. "How to play them is something you can't teach, but seeing him do them helped me a lot. I learned a little how to do it."

There was just as much Ballesteros in what Garcia did after holing his birdie putt on 13 to take him within shooting range. Garcia knew Woods would be on the tee behind him, so he looked back and threw a stare which said: "I'm here, I'm ready and I'm coming for you."

Woods double bogeyed the hole. "I looked at Tiger because I wanted him to know I was still there and to show him he had to finish well to win. It wasn't a bad thing I meant," said Garcia.

"It was done with good feelings, not wanting him to take triple bogey or whatever."

It signalled the start of the chase which ended when Woods holed a mighty par-saving putt on 17.

It was only an eight footer, but there are very few golfers who would have fancied it and many who would have suffered incontinence standing over it.

The way Woods negotiated 18, when he knew he had to make par to win outright, was sheer class, the act of a man who knows he is the game's dominant figure.

But for how long? Woods's coach Butch Harmon believes his man and Garcia can take the game to new levels.

"I see Seve in this young man's body," said the American guru. "Some of his recovery shots out there were among the greatest I have witnessed," said Harmon.

"What golf has now is two great young stars who will be around for a long time. Sergio won the hearts of everyone in the world."

A few too many for Woods's liking because a percentage of the American galleries did not pin a yellow ribbon on the old oak trees of Medinah, but a Spanish flag.

Woods does not embrace total support from his compatriots. One even encouraged him to slice his tee shot on the 17th green into the lake surrounding it, while other voices on separate occasions encouraged him to three-putt.

And he was aware from the commotion immediately ahead of him that Garcia was gathering support with every shot.

Garcia knew it too and milked the applause as only Ballesteros would have done before him.

"The crowds were amazing," he said. "It seemed like I was American. It was incredible. When they put Tiger's double bogey on the board, the galleries started screaming for me. Right there, I realised they were with me." The crowd chanted "Sergio, Sergio, Sergio", in unison and Garcia tipped his hat to them, polite in the manner of a Lee Westwood.

"I don't know why, but it looks like they love me and I love them. I always try to make sure they enjoy the golf."

Woods was not at all surprised the crowd embraced Garcia. "Sergio played a wonderful round of golf," he said.

"He should be commended for not only the way he played, but the way he conducted himself. He was emotional, he was fiery, he was trying. It was wonderful to see. It's neat to see him wear his emotions on his sleeve. He can turn bad shots into positives. You can see his body language, he exudes confidence. He's a wonderful kid."

It was a theme American Ryder Cup captain Ben Crenshaw took up. "We saw something in Sergio that is electrifying and captivating. It's difficult to find the right adjectives, but how about magic, charismatic, graceful?" he asked.

"When he hit that shot on 16 he captured the heart and imagination of America. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. What a kid, what a fabulous kid. How can you not love him."

Garcia not only wants to depose Woods as the world's top player, but remain friends with him. He waited behind the 18th and when Woods came out of Harmon's hug he walked straight into another from his closest rival.

All Garcia wants to do now is enjoy what he has achieved since turning professional after the US Masters. There has already been a win in Ireland and second and third place finishes here. He has a card for either Tour and 20 years ahead of him at the top.

Jose Maria Olazabal urged us not to rush him, but Garcia was already at full pelt and now the two will probably play together in the Ryder Cup. Ballesteros took Olly under his wing, now the double US Masters champion can repay the debt with Garcia.

Whatever happens, golf has a new superstar - and they love him here as much as in Europe.

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