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Mickelson won by two shots last year over Garcia, even though the Spaniard was never really in the mix. Garcia was the runner-up when Sean O'Hair put two in the water on the 17th to slide down the leaderboard.
Even so, Garcia finished 67-66, and one year later, nothing has slowed his momentum.
In his 10th year as a pro, Garcia has been an enigma. No other player younger than Tiger Woods has contended so often in the majors and showed so much variety in his game.
"He's like Tiger," Goydos said. "His go-to shot is the shot that's needed."
But frustration has been setting in over three winless seasons, dating to the old Booz Allen Classic at Congressional, and Garcia recently turned to putting guru Stan Utley for help. This was a major move, for Garcia has relied almost exclusively on his father for help.
"My main idea was to get back to the way I used to putt, like 10 or 12 years ago, when I was a good putter," Garcia said. "At least now I have some rounds where I come out and say I actually shot what I should have shot, and not come out and think, 'I should have been four or five shots better' ... which is always not very nice."
And after one round, Garcia did not say he was playing more than just the field.
He is tied with Adam Scott for most PGA Tour victories (six) by players under 30, although it was hard to fathom how he could go nearly three years without winning.
"It's not secret to anybody that he's been struggling with his putting for a little while, but as soon as he gets it right, we all know he's going to be winning," said Ian Poulter, among five players at 69. "I know he's working hard, and I'm sure he'll be in the winner's circle as soon as he gets it right. It may be this week. If he's putting well this week, then who knows? And watch out."
Garcia had only one bogey, a three-putt on the par-3 eighth, and that was no disgrace. His ball came up short of a mound that looked like an elephant burial ground, and he missed the 8-footer for par. But he answered with a pair of 3-woods on the par-5 ninth, followed by a simple up-and-down to end his day with a birdie.
He also made birdie from the bunker on the par-5 11th, chipped to 4 feet on the par-5 second and two-putted for birdie on the 16th.
Typical of this tournament, there were plenty of scores under par, and an equal amount of big numbers. Someone asked Garcia if he felt the Stadium Course was more fair on Thursday.
"It's always fair," he said. "It's just a matter of being tougher or easier."
Garcia is 17-under par over his last three rounds, so it must feel awfully easy. All he needs now is a trophy to show for it.
