Sergio Garcia is determined to continue Spain's run of sporting glory by shaking off his tag as one of the best golfers never to win a major.

The 29-year-old has claimed 13 titles - seven in America and eight in Europe - but his best finish at The Open came at Carnoustie in 2007, when he was runner-up to Padraig Harrington. The Spaniard blew his chances of winning on the 18th green and subsequently lost in a play-off to the Irishman, yet his enthusiasm has not been dampened.

After watching Spain's footballers win Euro 2008, tennis star Rafa Nadal clinch six gland slams, and basketball star Pau Gasol win the NBA with the LA Lakers, Garcia is ready to follow suit.

He said: "If I could choose one major to win, it would be The Open. This is my favourite championship. I had a very nice week of practice and hopefully I can go one better than a couple of years ago.

"Spain's success definitely inspires me to try even harder but I don't think it puts extra pressure on me.

"I try to do the best I can every time I go out there. I feel comfortable with that. Not many people can say they have been the No2 player in the world at their sport.

"It is nice to see Spanish sport doing so well in the last year-and-a-half. It makes me proud."

Garcia tees off at 7.58am tomorrow alongside veteran Tom Watson, who beat Jack Nicklaus in the famous Duel in the Sun here in 1977, and Italian amateur Matteo Manassero.

The brutal Ailsa course will certainly test his temperament but Garcia is familiar with the venue since first playing it in 1996 and is hoping lady luck is looking down on him. He added: "There are moments where you feel like you've been a little bit unlucky.

"But more than anything, I've just come to play against some guys who have raised their game and played amazingly during the last round.

"We all have our good and bad breaks. It's just a matter of getting them at the right time and unfortunately it has not happened for me yet."