Garcia in the mood to join the Spanish fiesta

Sergio Garcia breezed round the London club in 64 shots yesterday and then motored down the road to Wimbledon to watch his close pal Rafael Nadal waltz into the men's singles final.

Has life ever been better for Spanish sportsmen? Never mind the city of Liverpool becoming Spain-obsessed, as Nike's brilliant Fernando Torres advert suggests. Much more of this, and we're all going to feel like wrapping ourselves in a red and yellow flag.

To cap it all off: Garcia hits out yesterday as he shows the form which could give Spain even more success

Without the hullabaloo surrounding Nadal or the nation's bewitching footballers, Spain's golfers have already made a contribution to the year of the matador. Garcia himself won the biggest event on the U.S. Tour, Miguel Angel Jimenez the biggest on the European Tour, and Pablo Larrazabal proved he's no slouch either in putting his way to victory in the French Open last week.

Now Garcia has entered the month of unfinished business, and looks in prime form to make up for last year's savage Open disappointment. If he wins this European Open tomorrow, there is no doubt who will start favourite in the Tiger-less showpiece at Royal Birkdale in less than a fortnight's time.

Mind you, it's a commentary on the standard at the top of European golf these days that even after a 64, that's still a pretty big if. An excellent nine-under-par halfway return wasn't enough to overtake playing partner Graeme McDowell, who is flying on 12 under, while he in turn is looking up at Englishman Ross Fisher, who followed his startling first-round 63 with a 68 to lead on 13 under.

As the Americans say, these players are really golfing their ball. The par-fives might offer chances and the greens are like carpets, but the venue is far from a pitch and putt.

With a leaderboard this good - Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie are also handily placed on seven under-there is the prospect of the tournament marking its return to Britain after 13 years in Ireland with a memorable finish this weekend.

Ah, Poulter and Monty. Will someone send them out with a pair of boxing gloves the next time they meet? These two shook hands at the end of a ding-dong match within a match, where the obvious needle between them seems to have an inspiring effect.

Montgomerie: Chirpy chat with Poulter

'I don't often find myself chasing a man in pink,' said Monty, referring to Poulter's typically colourful garb. 'There's bound to be chatter when you're playing a man in pink.'

There was certainly that, Poulter might have responded. In fact, far too much, to judge by the gesture Poulter gave to the crowd on one hole, where he indicated that Monty was all talk.

One example was at the 13th, where the Scot wanted a camera buggy moved. When the cameraman indicated he was staying put, Monty told him: 'You're only here because of me!' What did Poulter think of that?

Perhaps wisely, he declined any public comment. The edge between the two merely added to the day's compelling proceedings, as did the sub-plot of the race for Ryder Cup places.

What a pivotal weekend it could be in that regard. Garcia is hanging on by a hair's breadth to his automatic spot while McDowell, in 11th spot with the top 10 qualifying, is the man pressing his nose enviously against the glass.

With Soren Hansen, eighth in the table, continuing his excellent form of last week to stand on eight under, it is Nick Dougherty (currently level par) and Justin Rose (two under) who suddenly look vulnerable.

Garcia and Nadal met on a tennis court for the first time last year. Who won, asked one cheeky soul. 'What kind of question is that?' Garcia replied. 'Of course I won. What on earth has he ever won?'

How good to see Garcia enjoying the banter, at peace with himself once more after last year's torment. McDowell confirmed as much. 'I've not played much with him before but he has such a relaxed attitude on the course, and it can only inspire you,' he said. Now you know why they queue up to partner Garcia at the Ryder Cup.

As for McDowell and Fisher, the second half of the event now becomes a test of nerve. Fisher is not getting carried away. 'Obviously you get loads of confidence from leading such a quality field,' he said.

'But you do have to say to yourself: "Hold on a minute, we're only halfway."' The sub-sub-plot over the last two days is that the leading finisher in the top five who is not exempt for The Open will gain a last-gasp spot in the Birkdale field.

Eyeing this place are Irishmen Paul McGinley and Rory McIlroy, who both made such an impression at Carnoustie last year. McGinley is joint fifth on seven under, a shot ahead of his teenage pursuer.