In-form Garcia takes lead in Andalucia

Fresh from his victory at home in last week's Castello Masters, Sergio Garcia surged into a two-shot lead at the Andalucia Masters with a four-under-par 67 in Saturday's third round. The Spaniard, who won the Castello by 11 strokes last Sunday, put himself in an ideal position to win here at an event where he has finished runner-up three times. Garcia, who ended a three-year title drought last weekend, needs to win again on Sunday to qualify for next week's World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. With a six-under-par total of 207, he is two shots clear of compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez (68), who had two eagles, and Swede Christian Nilsson, who equalled the best score of the week with a 65. Scotland's Richie Ramsey, the overnight leader, is three back after closing with two bogeys for a 73 after a day that saw defending title-holder Graeme McDowell toil with an 81. Garcia's round included a bogey six at the 17th, when he had to take off his shoes and socks and roll up his trousers to play his second, which landed in rocks beside a lake. He reflected: "It obviously was risky, but I liked my chances of getting up and down better from there than the drop zone. "After I three-putted the fifth I came straight back with a birdie, so to have that 'bouncebackability' is always nice. "I don't want to get ahead of myself. Hopefully I can come out and have the same feelings and mentality and my best will be good enough."