| Versailles,
France, 18th September 1998 -
Ian Woosnam bids for his third Lancome Trophy title success this weekend after
fashioning a two-shot lead despite a poor putting display. But
the 40-year-old 1991 U.S. Masters champion, could be under threat from Sergio
Garcia, a Spanish amateur less than half his age. Woosnam's
four-under-par 67 took him to a seven-under midway total of 135 in the chase for
his first victory this year. Eighteen-year-old
Garcia's 68 enabled him to join compatriot Miguel Jimenez, defending champion
Mark O'Meara and Colin Montgomerie in second place. Woosnam's
strong game from tee-to-green was marred by a three-putt in two of his bogeys
and several missed birdie chances. But
Woosnam was confident. "I'm on top of my game. I know I'm playing 99 percent
better than the rest of the field tee-to-green and I'm due to win any time,~ he
said. "I
have to sharpen up the putting, though. Last week I averaged 32.8 putts per round
and today wasn't much better. Monty (Montgomerie) in winning last week, needed
only 29.2. That's
3-1/2 shots a round. I just can't give that kind of advantage away." Garcia
gave the pros a fright by coming back from two early bogeys with five birdies
to give himself the chance of his best finish in seven Tour starts this year.
After announcing
he will turn professional after next year's U.S. Masters, the Spaniard sounded
a warning to the players he admires. "It's
great to see my name up there alongside Mark O'Meara's and Colin Montgomerie's
on the leaderboard," said Garcia. "But
I'm playing well and going for victory myself, going for everything. That's my
mentality." Nick
Faldo assured himself of his first Ryder Cup points after shooting a 71 for 141,
three better than the cut. | 
