Unknown Quiros upstages Garcia in first round of Madrid Masters

MADRID, Spain (PA) -- World No. 8 Sergio Garcia had the spotlight taken off by him by world No. 1,076 Manuel Quiros when the Madrid Masters began on Thursday.

A closing 15-foot eagle putt had given Garcia -- playing in Europe for the first time since the british Open in July -- an 8-under-par 64 and the clubhouse lead at Centro Nacional. But, playing in the last group of the day, Quiros, not even a full European Tour member, blasted an incredible 10-birdie 62.

The 30-year-old from Marbella, who earned a place in the event off the Spanish Order of Merit, has made six trips to European Tour qualifying school and only made it through once.

That was three years ago, and even on the 'second division' Challenge Tour this year, he has yet to record a top-40 finish.

"I had 12 chances for birdie and I made 10 -- unbelievable," said Quiros, who won on the Spanish mini-tour last week. "I think I was very lucky with the putter. The greens were not so good because of all the players walking around.''

Garcia remains the firm favorite to win, especially with playing partner -- and former Ryder Cup partner -- Luke Donald managing only a 1-under 71.

Third place is held by England's 21-year-old Oliver Fisher, at last finding his form again after missing his last seven halfway cuts and 15 of the last 19.

Fisher, who came up through the amateur ranks with Rory McIlroy and was the youngest-ever player to appear in the Walker Cup, is down in 152nd place on the Tour money list and needing to climb into the top 115 to keep his card.

Garcia, who is without a top-three finish all year and failed to make the Tour Championship in America, has returned to action with new clubs. Next season a different rule governing grooves is being introduced with the aim of making it more important to hit the fairways.

"These are conforming and you definitely see a difference coming out of the rough," he said. "It's good to get a feel of it and see how it reacts so you're ready for next year.

"I love the clubs, so it's fine," he added. "The ball seems to jump all the time and it's just a question of how much."

Fisher, now working with Lee Westwood's coach Pete Cowen, commented: "I'm very pleased -- it's nice to be at the top of the leaderboard for a change.

"At the end of the day you've just got to do your best, try as hard as you can and see what happens. It will pay off hopefully," he added. "There's so much golf to be played yet, so I'll just take it step by step. Pete obviously has a lot of experience and it's good to have his words of wisdom."

Compatriot Anthony Wall, who injured his left shoulder playing for Britain-Ireland against Continental Europe two weeks ago in the Vivendi Trophy, played through the pain for a 66.

"There are four trapped nerves in and around the shoulder," said Wall, who is tied for fourth with Scotland's David Drysdale and three more English players -- Ross McGowan and 2007 Walker Cup team-mates Danny Willett and David Horsey.

"It's sore and it still hurts, but I can play," he said. "I've had plenty of prodding to try to get the blood flowing and get the nerves back in their rightful place."

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