Garcia plotting to go one better in Mallorca

MALLORCA, Spain, Oct 25 (Reuters) World number 10 Sergio Garcia hopes to shed his unwanted runner-up label by winning this week's Mallorca Open again.

Garcia, pipped for the British Open title at Carnoustie this year, was second in Mallorca in 2006 before going on to claim a runner-up spot the following week in the European Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters.

''It would definitely be good to go one better in both these last tournaments this year,'' Garcia told reporters yesterday.

''I have had five second places in the last three years. That is good and bad. It's great because second shows I've played well but at the same time it is a little bit disappointing I couldn't win.'' Last year at the Pula course, Niclas Fasth headed Garcia by three shots and the Swede defends his title this week.

Garcia, who won this title on his debut in the event in 2004, has never been outside the top-two in Mallorca.

However, this week he has the disadvantage of taking a five-week break beforehand.

''It's been good fun having the time off but my game is a little bit rusty,'' he added.

''After five weeks off you tend to lose your rhythm.'' REUTERS BJR VC1416