Garcia in contention at halfway point of Masters

Sergio Garcia burst onto the American golf scene at 19 with his famous sprint up a hill at Medinah Country Club to get a better look at a shot he hit off a tree root in the 1999 PGA Championship.

Garcia lost that duel to Tiger Woods, but since then the talented Spaniard has been a rousing success on the PGA and European tours with 17 wins. But he has struggled in major championships, especially at the Masters Tournament, and is often mentioned as one of the best players yet to win a major.

Garcia made a move up the leaderboard at the 76th Masters by firing a 4-under par 68. He stands tied for third headed into weekend action at 4-under 140. Garcia shot an even-par 72 Thursday.

Garcia did it by dominating the par-5s, playing the four holes in 3-under par.

He birdied No. 2 with a pair of 3-woods and a chip to about a foot. At the 570-yard 8th hole, he hit a wedge from 120 yards out to 18 feet and drained the putt. On the 15th hole, he hit a 3-wood approach into the right bunker and made a nice sand shot to three feet before converting the birdie.

Garcia added birdies at the par-4 7th hole and the 155-yard 12th hole.

In 13 Masters appearances, Garcia has just two top-25 finishes, with his best being a tie for fourth in 2004. He has missed four cuts.

Now his game seems to be coming around with top-10 finishes in the U.S. and British Opens last year.

“It’s still a very difficult golf course,” Garcia said of Augusta National. “Every single shot out there is testing. Before the course changes, it was mainly about approach shots and everything around the greens and on the greens. Now you have to drive the ball. If you don’t drive the ball here, you are out of position … and it becomes very, very difficult. It tests every single part of your game.”

In the interview room, the 32-year-old displayed the playful personality that endeared him to fans and the media early in his career.

A reporter questioned Garcia about an infected fingernail that had been bothering him, asking which finger was hurting.

Garcia promptly displayed his left middle finger in the manner used by an irate driver on the road.

The room burst into laughter.

When asked what the right temperament was for golf, Garcia was quick with his reply.

“I’ll tell you when I find it,” Garcia said. “I think that’s the million dollar question. The right temperament for golf, it doesn’t exist. The guy up top probably has it, but anybody else, I don’t think so.”

Garcia handicapped his chances to take home the green jacket.

“I wish I could tell you I’m ready to win, but I really don’t know,” Garcia said. “So I’m just going to give it my best try, and … hopefully that will be good.”