Garcia raising his expectations

Sergio Garcia was happy to make the cut and finish top amateur at Loch Lomond last year.

Twelve months on the 19-year-old Spaniard's expectations are much higher after his stunning victory in the Murphy's Irish Open.

Garcia, who made his professional debut just 74 days ago after winning top amateur honours at the Masters in April, has overnight become one of the top attractions at the £1million Standard Life event, starting on Wednesday.

"Loch Lomond is a great golf course," he said. "It's a little bit different in that it's an American course in Scotland.

"It will be tough especially if the weather breaks. But I enjoyed it here last year when I played all four rounds."

Garcia arrived at Loch Lomond to begin his preparations for the tournament, sporting a new look.

The Spanish sensation cropped his hair just hours after winning in Ireland and said: "When I turned pro I said that when I had my first big victory I would cut my hair like this. I think you call it a number one."

His victory at Druids Glen coincided with that of Woods in the Western Open at Lemont, Illinois.

Garcia has already been dubbed Europe's Tiger Woods and the pair will undoubtedly take the spotlight at Carnoustie next week when the Open is staged.

"I have always said it is nice when you are compared to good players. But I want to be recognised as Sergio Garcia," he said.

Garcia's success at Druids Glen means he won't have to qualify for the Open and that suits him down to the ground. "I don't like to qualify," he said. "That's why I didn't play the US Open.

"The trouble with qualifying is that you only need one bad day and you are out of the tournament.

"When it comes to the Open itself I think everyone has a chance and I am playing some good golf at the moment."

Garcia is also on course to play in the Ryder Cup later this year but he is not thinking that far ahead.

"Of course it would be great to play in the event but I think it is more important to focus on the next two weeks," he said.