Golf-Open-Links course fan Garcia eyes Turnberry with relish

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 15 (Reuters) - Sergio Garcia has often bemoaned his ill fortune in the majors and is banking on his love of links-course golf to give him a winning edge at this week's British Open.

The 29-year-old Spaniard has posted six top-10 finishes in his last eight starts at the Open, the grand slam event he cherishes more than any other.

"I've always loved everything about it, not only the courses ... but the people and how well they've treated me throughout my career here," Garcia told reporters on the eve of Thursday's opening round.

"I love this event for many reasons, not only for the kind of courses we play but how different it is. We don't get to play these courses very often throughout the year."

Garcia is widely regarded as the best player in the modern game without a major title but was reluctant to embrace that tag for himself.

"I don't know. I don't really care," the world number five said. "I guess you have to look at someone's career and see how they've done in majors and everything.

"I've always said it, if I could only choose one (major to win), I'll definitely choose the Open championship."