The long vigil goes on with Sergio García. One day, surely, this Spanish wizard will win the Open - it seems inconceivable that the prize will elude him in the long run. But unless the 28-year-old can produce something special, he is in danger of missing out yet again after a round of 73 in the second round at Royal Birkdale yesterday, which left him on five over par.

García's formidable talent for links golf cannot be denied. In the past seven Opens he has finished outside the top ten only once. He was second last year and has been tied for fifth twice. The Open elements, which are up to their usual tricks, do not faze him. So what is holding him back?

We saw a clue on the 1st green yesterday, when he frittered a par putt from inside three feet. Just like at Hoylake two years ago, when García went into the final day trailing Tiger Woods by one stroke but fouled up on short putts, it was the three and four-footers that caused anxiety for his supporters.

In this context, García's worst moment yesterday came on the 18th, where he missed for par from 18 inches. So much, it seemed, for his claim that his putting woes had been cured after work with Stan Utley, the renowned coach. “I screwed up a little there,” García said. “I didn't rush the putt, it just happens sometimes. You lift your head up and realise you've missed. But I'm still alive.”

García is an exquisite ball-striker, as he showed with a raking iron he struck to 20 feet on the 499-yard par-four 6th yesterday, or the 50-foot putt he sank to rousing cheers on the 7th. Yet three dropped shots over

the 10th and 11th stymied his progress. “If I have a good third round, I've definitely got a chance,” García said.

One day, but maybe not tomorrow.