He will get a chance to prove himself correct, because unless the forecasts miss the mark, there will be wind, lots and lots of wind, and ball-striking will be the key. But at the same time, one has to eventually put the ball in the hole, and Garcia has appeared closer to his old self than the alleged new self.

Consider the 33 putts he needed Thursday or the 30 that he took in the second round, a pair of numbers that ranks him 117th out of 154 players through 36 holes. That’s the sort of stuff that has plagued him for seasons now and kept him winless in the majors. Woods or no Woods, so long as Garcia struggles with the putter, he’ll find these major championships an elusive quest.

Maybe he went to bed Friday night with visions of a 36-hole comeback, confident in such a quest because Woods is not in attendance. If so, that’s fine, but peruse the names in front of him and there are players he should be wary of. Some of those at 142, for instance — Rocco Mediate, Jim Furyk, Robert Allenby, and most of all, Padraig Harrington.

The Irishman sat six behind last year’s 36-hole leader, Garcia, and remained that far back through 54 holes. Of course, Harrington rallied, Garcia folded just enough, and the Irishman prevailed.

Why Garcia would feel confident while sitting three behind Harrington this year is beyond me.

Perhaps because Garcia at times remains a precocious kid who doesn’t accept that there are any deficiencies in his game. Perhaps because he’s been pampered at times and given far too many hall passes.

This time, it’s different. This time, the built-in fears and excuses are supposedly wiped clean, with no Woods and a better putting stroke. This time, Garcia will be expected to step up.

He’s got 36 holes to dig deep and prove he’s got what it takes.

(And if while he digs deep he finds an extra rainsuit or two, it might be a good idea to keep them handy.)

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