Worldcom Classic - The Heritage of GolfGarcia becomes an instant crowd-pleaser at Harbour Town 04/11/01[an error occurred while processing this directive] <BR><FONT SIZE=5>  Garcia becomes an instant crowd-pleaser at Harbour Town  </FONT><p> <P><font size=2><I>Web posted  <FONT SIZE=2>Wednesday, April 11, 2001</FONT><BR>  <P></I></font><FONT SIZE=2> </FONT> <P><FONT SIZE=2><B>  By <A HREF="mailto:astastny@savannahnow.com?subject=Victor Fernandes">Victor Fernandes</A>  </B><BR>  <I><A HREF="http://www.savannahnow.com" target="new">Savannah Morning News</A></I>  <P></FONT> <FONT SIZE =3>  HILTON HEAD ISLAND -- At times, the size of the crowd following Sergio Garcia during Tuesday's WorldCom Classic practice round resembled a contender's entourage on Sunday afternoon.<P> They reached approximately 100 to 150 in number. They appeared larger in size from a distance, as they proceeded down each fairway like a convoy.<P> And they were in mid-tournament form, clapping after every solid shot Garcia made on the Harbour Town Golf Links course. The 18th green was nearly desolate and extremely quiet until Garcia's Group, a la Arnie's Army, cheered his approach shot within eight feet of the pin.<P> "The people were great to me," Garcia said. "It's always really nice to have people who like watching you play follow you. I was really pleased with that."<P> Now Garcia hopes he can give those fans a reason to jump on his bandwagon throughout the tournament.<P> "I like to show the people what I can do," he said. "I hope to give them a show."<P> A following that large on Sunday means Garcia would be in contention for the championship. That has only happened once this season on the PGA Tour and twice overall.<P> Each time, the Spanish-born Garcia fell short. An eight on No. 6 during the a final-round 74 at last month's Bay Hill Invitational forced him to settle for a tie for fourth. He also lost in a playoff at Greg Norman's tournament in Australia earlier this season.<P> His other six tour outings didn't produce a finish better than 13th, which came at the Phoenix Open on Jan. 28. He also missed the cut at the Masters last weekend following a second-round 76.<P> "I haven't played bad at all," he said, "and I had a couple of good chances of winning. But I couldn't do it unfortunately.<P> "I've been hitting the ball solidly. So I feel pretty good about this week."<P> An excited crowd around him would only bolster his confidence and, in turn, his opportunity at victory, he said. Garcia, known for his animated, intense style, feeds off the energy provided by the crowd.<P> "It's just the way I am," he said. "(The crowd) helps me a lot."<P> The course should favor his style of play as well, he said. Garcia hopes the narrow fairways and small greens, which should become faster with the expected warm temperatures, will keep scores high.<P> "I feel comfortable standing over the ball and seeing my shot," he said. "It's the way I like a course to be. And hopefully the scoring won't be too low, because those are the kinds of tournaments I really enjoy.<P> "But it all depends on how well I play."<P> Morning News sports reporter <A HREF="mailto:astastny@savannahnow.com?subject=Victor Fernandes">Victor Fernandes</A> can be reached at 652-0349.<P>  </FONT>[an error occurred while processing this directive]