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SERGIO GARCIA

Pro Golfer

ON THE MAJOR HE WOULD MOST LIKE TO WIN The British Open. It's the biggest and oldest major; it's where golf originated; and it's the major most well-known worldwide. It's also the one I've followed most closely ever since I was a little guy growing up in Spain.

ON WHAT HE DID AFTER FINISHING FIFTH IN JULY'S BRITISH OPEN I spent five days with my older brother Victor Jr. in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. I have an apartment there, where we spend Christmas. Victor and I traveled around Switzerland a bit, and we put together a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. It was of cartoon characters playing field hockey. It was a great way to relax after the Open, though I got a sore back from bending over the pieces.

ON MOM'S HOME COOKING My mom [Consuelo] comes to some tournaments, and if we are staying in a house, she cooks. She makes arroz a la cubana. It's rice with eggs and fried tomatoes. And she makes lentils or tortilla de patatas [potato omelette], which I miss a lot from home. When she's not here, I go to good restaurants and get sushi or steak.

ON PALLING AROUND WITH REAL MADRID STARS RONALDO AND ROBERTO CARLOS They're funny, fun-loving guys. Ronaldo and I play some golf, and he's pretty good--a 13 or 14 handicap. Or we'll all go out to dinner in Madrid and then go dancing at a club. It's fun to go out but not always easy because everyone wants to touch them. People start closing in, so they give a fan a hug here or a handshake there, maybe a couple of kisses for a girl. Then people let us be.

ON LIFE AFTER DATING MARTINA HINGIS IN 2002 Right now I'm single. There is nobody special. I'm looking, but it's not easy. I know there are chicas buenas out there. I've just got to find them.

ON BECOMING PRESIDENT OF A FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING SOCCER CLUB IN HIS SMALL, COASTAL HOMETOWN OF BORRIOL I took it over in July. It's the lowest level in football, the fifth division. The best player on the team is paid $400 a month. We've brought on sponsors, and we want to make it better. I did this as a gesture of gratitude to my hometown, which has always loved and supported me. --As told to Luis Fernando Llosa

GARCIA, 25, IS THE WORLD'S SIXTH-RANKED GOLFER. THIS WEEK HE'S IN SPRINGFIELD, N.J., FOR THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP.

"I don't want anyone else using my glove, or even wearing it."
--Mike Matheny, Giants catcher
Talking Leather, page 36

" RIGHT NOW I'M SINGLE.... I'M LOOKING, BUT IT'S NOT EASY."

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Darren Carroll

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AL TIELEMANS (GARCIA ACTION)

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JOSE SANCHEZ/AP (MATHENY)