Serging on

Tunberry: For someone who has over over $12 million in his career and drives a Ferrari 360 Modena, the 28-year-old Sergio Garcia may seem the flashy, flamboyant, swashbuckling prince of the European Tour.

He was even flown into Scotland's Turnberry Golf Course to take part in a for a press conference to launch the European Tour's Race to Dubai.

But thoughts of a tabloid dream were dismissed as the Spaniard was said to have "good hearted" and was a "favourite son" of the European Tour.

George O'Grady, the Tour's chief executive, had drafted Garcia in to launch the race to Dubai, which replaces will the European Order of Merit.

"The European Tour is not allowed to single out praise for its members because everyone on Tour is special," O'Grady said.

"Sergio is just one of our favourite sons, and whatever is said, it's just good to have him around.

"You see him in our Ryder Cup side, and I don't care whether we lost the last one, what he does to the team, the emotion, the spirit, the leadership qualities brings is great and we're very happy to have him here."

As the praise flowed, Sergia blushed. But his red cheeks had more to do with a publicity stunt in the blustery, rain-soaked conditions that are typical of Scotland.

Reminiscing

Standing on the 10th hole, with the famous Turnberry lighthouse and the ruins of Robert Bruce's castle serving as a backdrop, Garcia reminisced about playing Turnberry as it hosted the British Amateurs.

Garcia never won on the course but was still confident about the 2009 Open Championships, which will be Turnberry's first Major for some time, saying links courses brought out his best.

He said: "When I feel like I'm on, I can win anywhere, but a links course is one of the things I feel better at.

"My love for links golf has existed since I played here 13 years ago in the boys' championships.

"I loved the way it was set up and the variety of shots you could hit and how you have to use your imagination all the time.

"I hope that I feel comfortable on it (in 2009) and that it suits my game at the time.

"I've been fortunate to play fairly well at the Open Championships in the past, so I'm looking to go little better the next time," said Garcia, who finished second in the event last year.

Great crowds

"I love the crowds and people in this part of the country and how they cheer you on.

"I've been very fortunate to be here in Great Britain, and if I could choose one Major to win; if someone told me I could win only one Major in my life, I'd choose the Open Championships."

The 28-year-old has plenty to keep him busy with a series of endorsement deals on top of the golf.

But he has recently branched out into course design and is working alongside Pete Dye and Greg Norman on his first project, the Jumeirah Golf Estate's Wind Course in Dubai.

He said: "It's another one of those big opportunities I've been given in my life.

"Obviously, I know what I want to focus on at the moment which is playing my best golf and becoming the best I can become.

"But at the same time I want to start getting involved in golf course design.

"This looks like an amazing project and I'm extremely thrilled about it."

Garcia, who has 17 professional wins to his name, was also excited about the forthcoming multi-million dollar Race to Dubai.

"It's great for me as a European Tour member and I'm thrilled to be a part of this and the Dubai World Championship.

"I think it's something very exciting for golf itself and the Tour in particular.

"I can't wait to play in it and to see how it develops and hopefully have a chance of winning it."