Sergio Garcia to team with Juan Carlos Ferrero at Thailand Golf Championship

Sergio Garcia

Chonburi (Thailand), Nov 18 (IANS)

World No.6 Sergio Garcia will have tennis player Juan Carlos Ferrero as his caddy when he takes the field to defend his title at the December 11-14 Thailand Golf Championship. Garcia will be making his fourth appearance in the $1 million Asian Tour to be played at the Amata Spring Country Club. He won the tournament by four shots last year.

Garcia will be leading a star-studded field in the event that includes two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, reigning U.S. Open winner Martin Kaymer, South African legend Ernie Els and fellow Ryder Cup teammates Lee Westwood and Victor Dubuisson.

"I've played golf with Ferrero a lot but he never caddied for me before. We just talked about it and he mentioned about it and we decided to do it. He is excited about it," said Garcia in a statement Tuesday.

"Katharina is fine. She is happy to step aside and support from the side lines. It always helps to have a friend on your bag. It is good fun to be able to enjoy golf and have a good time with a good close friend.

Garcia has enjoyed a superb season where he helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup.

"The Thailand Golf Championship is a very young tournament but the group has done a great job there. They build a fun tournament and I really enjoy coming back. It is a good way to finish the season there. It is a great event," he said.

"For some reason, the course plays easier than it feels. It doesn't feel like it is an easy golf course but I always seem to play it quite well every year. The course is always in great shape," said Garcia, who made a hole-in-one on his way to victory in 2013."