Newly-crowned Irish Open champion Sergio Garcia launched himself towards a possible second title in a week when he took the early first round lead with a scorching 62 in the Loch Lomond Invitation on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Spanish high school student took advantage of benign conditions at the scenic 7,050-yard course on the banks of the famous Scottish lake to birdie seven of the first 10 holes.

Recent rain has softened the layout and led to attacking, target golf for the field of 153 in the final tournament before the British Open at Carnoustie next week.

Garcia, who turned professional only after the U.S. Masters in April, took full advantage with four birdies in succession from the second and three in a row from the eighth. He added two more over the last eight holes.

Asked if he had considered the possibility of shooting the first 59 in European Tour history, he replied: "I felt that. On the front nine I shot 30 but it could have been 28 and I didn't play as well on the back but I missed a couple of good opportunities."

He felt extremely confident throughout. "Just every single club in my bag I'm hitting extremely well," he said. "If I have to hit a fade, I hit it okay. If I have to hit a draw I also hit it okay."

With half the field still to complete the course, Garcia was two shots ahead of Swedish Ryder Cup player Jesper Parnevik. Another Swede, Patrik Sjoland, and Roger Winchester of Britain were another shot back after 65s.

Defending champion Lee Westwood of Britain carded a 66 after a solid round marred by missing several makeable putts.

With his success in the Irish Open, Garcia's last five rounds have been 69, 68, 67, 64 and now 62. "What's next -- a 59?" he said. "I'm improving, so I hope so.

"It's really nice how my confidence went up last week and I'm playing better and better and I hope it will keep going up."

He began his assault by rifling a two-iron second to 12 feet and holing for a birdie at the second, his longest birdie putt on the day when he repeatedly hit his approach shots near the pin.

It was his best competitive round. "Nine under par is my lowest," he said.

Parnevik found the conditions totally different from past visits to Scotland. "The fairways are soft and you could really fire at the pins. They couldn't hide them today," he said.

Parnevik also had a run of four succesive birdies, starting at the sixth.

The Swede, who is based on the U.S. Tour, wants to play himself onto the European Ryder Cup and not have to rely on being a wild card pick but he needs a couple of victories over the next month to meet his target. He is currently outside the top 50 on the qualifying list.

Sjoland, considered to be a stronger contender at the start of the year, has had driving problems from which he is only just recovering this year.