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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -His age suggests that Sergio Garcia is about to enter his prime and has every reason to look ahead. He already has six PGA Tour victories, 10 more around the world, has made four Ryder Cup teams and contended in a half-dozen majors.
Comfort comes from looking back.
The 28-year-old Spaniard showed up at The Players Championship with a putter he used in 2000, when he was a fresh-faced challenger to Tiger Woods and took down the world's No. 1 player in a "Battle at Bighorn" exhibition in the desert.
"Just trying to get those good sensations from the past, when I was comfortable with my putting," Garcia said.
The short stick is what's making him feel so old. Garcia has not won in nearly three years, an 0-for-53 drought on the PGA Tour that is the longest of his career, and he recently sought putting guru Stan Utley for help with his stroke.
He can only hope it's working.
By taking advantage of the par 5s, producing more superb play with his ball-striking and getting a bonus birdie with a 50-foot putt on the 14th hole Thursday, Garcia raced out to a 6-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Kenny Perry and Paul Goydos.
"I really like the way I'm stroking it," Garcia said. "I'm pretty happy with everything that's going on. There are days that are better than others. The good things is that there are days that it's very good, so that's always something to look forward to."
How long it lasts remains to be seen.
Garcia has never won a tour event when leading after 18 holes, and he still hasn't faced the hardest part about the Stadium Course on the TPC Sawgrass, which is playing in the afternoon. Garcia posted his seven birdies in the morning, when the breeze was mild and the greens immaculate. By the end of the first round, the last ones out struggled the most.
Of the 34 players who broke par in the opening round, all but eight played in the morning. The best score from the blustery afternoon came from former British Open champion Todd Hamilton, who had a 69.
Ernie Els was headed in that direction, at 2 under, until he reached the most notorious hole that is not exactly his favorite. Els figured a pitching wedge would be too much club for the 17th, an island green that played 146 yards with the wind at its back. He played it soft and watched it splash, 20 feet short of dry land, leading to triple bogey.
Els made birdies on both sides of that triple bogey and wound up at 72, then had a suggestion for the island green.
