Garcia off to fast start of title defence

Garcia tees off of the 6th at Ballybunion on the way to a round of 64. Allsport

Sergio Garcia made a determined start to his defence of the Irish Open with a share of the early first-round lead on Thursday.

Last year at Druids Glen, the Spaniard carded a closing 64 to clinch the tournament at the age of 19, winning by three shots in only his sixth professional event.

A windless start helped Garcia to a seven-under-par 64 this time as he birdied the last three holes for an early one-shot lead with Sweden's Patrik Sjoland.

With birdies coming thick and fast for most of the field, the leading pair captured 16 between them, eight apiece with one dropped shot, to head veteran Irishman Des Smyth home.

Smyth's 65 took him a stroke better than Dutchman Rolf Muntz, winner of the Qatar Masters earlier in the season.

Garcia captured the imagination, though, as he picked up four birdies going out and then turned for his big finish.

"I like 64 obviously," said the Spaniard as his game at last clicked following a lull.

"I've been playing all right since the U.S. Masters but my putting has been letting me down. Today that came right at last.

"If you don't make putts then you don't win tournaments. Now I'm pleased that my whole game is in good shape.

"I knew that I'd need a good score today with the conditions being so good, but I didn't think I'd need to be seven-under to be on top because this is a very difficult course with or without the wind."

Sjoland also came back from a lean spell with his best round of the year.

The Swede said his game is getting back into shape now that his young son, born six weeks ago to his wife Ulrika, who used to caddy for him, is not taking up all his attention.

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