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'Rebooted' Garcia eyeing first major

Sergio Garcia has regained the fire in his belly © Getty Images

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• Out of Bounds: Royal St George's under pressure of Open demands
  
• Preview: European stars hoping to feast at Sandwich
  
• Profile: Sergio Garcia

ESPN will be providing comprehensive coverage of the Open Championship, with live scores, news and all the reaction from Royal St George's

European stars hoping to feast at Sandwich

Sergio Garcia heads into his 49th consecutive major at this week's Open Championship with confidence high after revealing he has re-established his "joy and love of the game" after "rebooting myself".

The Spaniard has endured a difficult two years both on and off the course, but the world No. 53 has shown signs this season of regaining the form that once made him one of the top three players in the world.

Promising rounds in Bay Hill and Tampa were followed by a play-off defeat at the BMW International in Munich against compatriot Pablo Larrazabal. Despite his loss, his showing in Germany, where he finished in the top two of the mini-money list, earned him a place at the Open at Sandwich, which starts on Thursday.

Garcia, 31, may not have won for over two-and-a-half years but he has rekindled his hunger, having reignited his passion through a two-month break he took at the end of last year.

"It definitely helped and I'm really happy I was able to do it," he told Sky Sports. "I rebooted myself into the game of golf because I was losing the best thing that I probably had - the joy and love of the game."

Tying for seventh at the US Open last month was his best result in a major since 2008, and Garcia is keen to continue his renaissance at Royal St George's over the coming days.

"This is my favourite event of the year," he said. "I love the courses, I love the tournament itself. I love the people - they are easily the best crowds we get all year long. I'm always looking forward to making it back here and you can imagine how happy I was when I got a spot after the BMW's."

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