Sergio Garcia (66/1 to win 2010 USPGA Championship) shot an opening round 68 at the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia, to leave him five shots off the lead at the US Tour event.

The Spaniard, who needs to show some signs of form to push his claims for a Ryder Cup place, fired six birdies and four bogies to leave him at -2.

Garcia (7/5 to win his 2nd 3-ball v Furyk and Hensby) has claimed just one top ten finish in 12 events played this year, with that coming back at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship in February.

The world number 45 is chasing joint-leaders Erik Compton and Matthew Every, after their impressive opening rounds of 63 left them on seven-under-par.

The 30-year-old Compton is a two-time heart transplant patient having suffered health problems since childhood.

But the man from Florida carded nine birdies on the opening day and said afterwards: “You have to have drive it good here. If you do, you can definitely take advantage.”

A group of three players, Pat Perez, George McNeill and Jeff Overton, are a shot off the pace on -6 while five more players are on five-under including former US Ryder Cup player Charles Howell III.

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Tiger Woods has indicated he will attempt to become the first golfer to win The Open for a third time, if he feels he has recovered from a neck injury (7/4 Phil Mickelson – PGA Tour Money List W/O Woods).

The world number one has endured an inauspicious return to the sport since finishing tied-fourth at the Masters last month and was forced to withdraw from the Players Championship in May because of the problem.

The 34-year-old is expected to play in the US Open at Pebble Beach in June and defend his AT&T National title in July, but his schedule remains unclear.

However, organisers are optimistic the 2000 and 2005 champion will participate at St Andrews in July.

“I now need to take care of this condition and will return to playing golf when I’m physically able,” Woods said last week.

Woods, a 14-time Major winner, is just four victories short of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 triumphs (11/8 USA – 2010 Ryder Cup).

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Jack Nicklaus admits he would be “surprised” if Tiger Woods is not involved at the Masters in Augusta next month.

The 34-year-old is currently on an indefinite break from the game because of his marital problems but Nicklaus, who is four ahead of Woods with 18 majors to his name, believes a comeback in April is on the cards.

Speaking before the Honda Classic at PGA National, Nicklaus said: “It would surprise me if he didn’t.

“I’ve been very non-committal because it’s none of my business. But playing golf, my guess as a golfer, he’s going to probably try to want to.”

Nicklaus added: “I suspect he will play something before Augusta, and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t play before Augusta.”

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