Sergio Garcia, having created his share of Spanish sporting success on Friday with a second round 64 in the European Open, headed off from the London Club course in Kent, south-east of London, to cheer on compatriot Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

Garcia's round left him second in the clubhouse on nine under par, the same score as first round leader Ross Ford.

He got to know Nadal in Majorca last October, playing golf and tennis in a pro-am. "It was awesome playing tennis with him," said the 28-year-old Garcia.

"He was quite impressed with my game and I was impressed with his golf.

"Rafa and I send messages to each other and I'm sure he will be happy about my round."

Regarded as one of the best current golfers yet to win a Major, Garcia played the first nine holes in just 32 shots but was even more impressive over the closing nine in what was his first tournament in the UK since he lost a play-off for last year's British Open to Padraig Harrington.

But having won the Players Championship in Florida in May, he is among the favourites for the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale later this month in the absence through injury of Tiger Woods.

However, in this tournament, Garcia was still three shots behind playing partner Graeme McDowell who topped the leaderboard with a 67 following his first round 65.

"It's always difficult to follow up a good day at the office, so today's round probably gave me more satisfaction," said McDowell.

"My job was to keep the foot on the pedal and keep it going. I'll take 12 under at halfway every week, whether it leads or not, and I fully expect to be in the mix come Sunday afternoon," the Northern Ireland golfer added.

Fisher, who was at the start of his second round, reduced his deficit to two shots with a birdie at the third hole.

Meanwhile defending champion Colin Montgomerie, the winner when this event was played in Ireland last year, and England's Ian Poulter both birdied the first to be three under.

AFP