Garcia: Woods in a different league

Dubai: Spaniard Sergio Garcia, whose name is soon to become synonymous with golf in Dubai, provided a disconcerting insight into the mind of the golfer hoping to challenge the spectre that is Tiger Woods.

The 23-year-old who is only making his second appearance in the Dubai Desert Classic after missing the cut by one last year, said he spoke for everyone while admitting it was 'very difficult' to beat the world No 1.

"He's not only my problem, he's everybody's problem," said Garcia, who finished his opening round on four-under-68.

"He's playing at a good level at the moment and we know that the only thing we can do is keep trying keep playing our hardest and try to challenge him as much as possible.

Very difficult to beat

"If he plays at the level he knows how to play, it will be very difficult to beat him. But there's always a possibility."

Garcia is designing the course, titled Wind, at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Scheduled for completion in 2009, Wind joins Fire and Earth - designed by Greg Norman - and Water, designed by Vijay Singh.

Speaking on his goals for the season Gracia, nicknamed El Nino because of the dynamism that he brings to his game, said he felt his game was "getting better and better every day".

"It's still the beginning of the year and I feel rusty. But it's slowly getting better and I have just got to keep doing the things I have been doing and I should be trying to do."

Reflecting on his opening-round 68, where he sank five birdies against a solitary bogey on the 10th, the Spaniard said: "Overall it was a solid round. I left two or three shots out there but it's the beginning of the year.

"But it's getting better and if Tiger doesn't run away with it, I could be in with a chance come Sunday."