Spanish eyes on no 1 slot: Garcia ready to give best shot

The man who holds the best chance of pouncing on Tiger Woods' absence and seizing the world No 1 ranking is Sergio Garcia. And he knows it.

"I think I do have a chance, if I get going the right way," said Garcia who replaced Phil Mickelson as No 2 after winning the HSBC Champions in China last November. "I have to play very well," he said yesterday. "But it's not something like a do or die thing for me. I'm not going to look too much into it. I'm just going to give it my best, and if it happens, great. If not, being close to it, it's a nice thing to achieve."

Garcia also sought to clarify his earlier comments on Ryder Cup team-mate Padraig Harrington who he said was "not his best friend". He said: "Don't get me wrong. I think this has been taken a little out of context.

"Padraig and I get along fine. But like we both said, we are not the closest friends.

"Like there are guys that I get along with better on the tour such as Camilo [Villegas] or Luke Donald."