Garcia leads charge of Spanish players seeking victory at Andalucia Masters

Sergio Garcia leads a strong Spanish contingent intent on a Valderrama victory at this weekend's Andalucia Masters, where defending champion Graeme McDowell heads the challengers.

Garcia, coming off an 11-shot Castello Masters win for his first victory in three years, is among 14 Spanish players looking for a first-ever home triumph since Spain's most famous golf course began hosting tournaments 23 years ago.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jose Maria Olazabal, Alvaro Quiros, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Garcia lead the local contenders' bid to triumph at the Robert Trent Jones designed course. Martin Kaymer, Thomas Bjorn, Justin Rose, Matteo Manassero and Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari will also compete at the 96-player, $4.17 million event.

Since 1988, when the Volvo Masters was first held, there have been 20 European Tour events at Valderrama but not one Spanish winner.

"I've been three times runner-up on this course, and that really spurs me to try harder," Garcia said. "It's been really positive recently, after two really bad years. I've had great feelings and at the end of the day the most important thing is what I feel.

"I've been putting really well since before the U.S. Open. I like the consistency I'm achieving now," he added. "I think I am going the right way but that doesn't mean that it's time to relax."

Valderrama's cork tree-lined, par-71 course offers tight fairways and small greens that test a golfer's game from tee to green, especially rewarding those who show patience and accuracy.

These characteristics suited McDowell on his way to a two-shot victory last year, which was the Northern Irishman's last European win. The former U.S. Open champion is keen on a first 2011 title to improve his Race to Dubai position at the European Tour's last continental event before moving on to Asia.

"It's one of those iconic courses on the European Tour, and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it," McDowell said. "There are holes you can consider being decent birdie chances, and when the wind is up, well, good luck. But I like that challenge.

"Let's see if I can finish 2011 on a high," he added. "I'm feeling fit, ready and happy with my game. I still feel a strong finish to the season is in me."

This week is the start of a spell that will see the 32-year-old Northern Irishman also compete in China, Singapore, Japan, South Africa and Dubai.

Kaymer was second here in 2008 and the German player is looking for his first victory since January to put pressure on Dubai leader Luke Donald.

Bjorn has won three tournaments this season while Manassero’s first win came in Spain last year.

South African player Thomas Aiken will also be expected to challenge for the $695,450 winner's check after his Spanish Open victory earlier this year, coupled with top-10 finishes in Madrid and Castellon.

Rose is making only his fourth appearance in Europe all season and, a month after winning one of the FedEx Cup playoff events, returns to a club where he has mixed memories. It was the scene of his Volvo Masters victory four years ago, a win that gave him the European money list title as well, but 12 months later in the same event he shot 80-81 before withdrawing.

"Valderrama is an unforgiving course and you need to hit great shots with all the clubs in the bag," said local favorite Miguel Angel Jimenez, who lost a playoff to Tiger Woods in the 1999 WGC-American Express Championship at Valderrama. "I'm striking the ball great, but not scoring my best. I haven't had a win yet this season, so it's high time to start."