Garcia, Scott leaning towards Europe

2008-01-28

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By Andrew Mullen Special to PA SportsTicker

Three-time Ryder Cup winner Sergio Garcia and World No. 4 Adam Scott both intend to amend their transatlantic schedules in favor of the European Tour over the American version.

While Order of Merit Leader Justin Rose, British Open champion Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Luke Donald have been attracted by the bright lights of the PGA Tour, Garcia and new Qatar Masters champion Scott - and potentially Sweden's Henrik Stenson - are attempting to break the mold.

The Spaniard Garcia knows he needs to obtain a healthy haul of Ryder Cup points to earn a place in Nick Faldo's side later this year at Valhalla, and Australian Scott retains an affinity to the tour which gave him his start.

"I will probably play more in Europe next year," said Garcia, the world's 12th-ranked player. "I've been slowly playing more in Europe over the last two or three years.

"I enjoy playing in Europe. It's my home tour, and I really enjoy it - so I will probably play a little bit more. I can't do a full schedule of maybe 20 or 22 events - because then it's too many. But definitely, the goal is to add maybe one here or there."

Garcia stated that the weakened value of the American dollar played a small role in his decision.

"Because of the currencies at the moment, we have some big events in Europe that are almost bigger than ones in the U.S.," he said. "That's still not the big element; the money is not why I play a tournament. I try to look for spots that I enjoy playing, spots where fields are good and where you're going to get the most world ranking points."

Six-time European Tour winner Scott last played enough events on it in 2004 to finish 24th on the Order of Merit, but he has already notched up two appearances this month, teeing off in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

His stunning three-stroke victory in Qatar last week saw the 27-year-old move to fourth place on the Order of Merit.

Garcia and Scott may soon be forced to play more events in Europe to qualify for the Order of Merit, with a proposal revealed by European Tour committee member Paul McGinley that would increase the figure from 11 to 13.

"Being from Australia, I see myself as a global golfer," the 27-year-old Scott said. "Over the last couple of years, unfortunately through different events, I've not been able to play the schedule I wanted - which would allow me to play 11 in Europe.

"This year I had the chance to come over here and get a couple of events early - to make it easy to get my 11 and join the tour and, I hope, get back up the Order of Merit by the end of the year."

Scott believes that the improvement in the European Tour is a big plus.

"The tour is growing, and the money is increasing - and I think whenever you see that happen, you see the guys a little more hungry and competitive," he said. "We're playing in areas of the world that are emerging, and it's certainly attractive to me.

"In the past it's helped a lot of champions and put them in a good position - and they have gone on to benefit from playing in Europe or wherever it might be in Asia. If I can do that and get my membership back, that's what I want to do."