Sergio Garcia returns to The European Tour at his home club for this week's CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar.
The Spanish star's last win was the HSBC Champions almost two years ago and since then he has fallen from World Number Two to outside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. But after a two-month break from the game, the 30 year old feels he is ready to return to winning ways at the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo course where his father works.
"I feel fine after my two-month break," said Garcia.
"I made the decision to stop between The Players and the US Open, as I had lost my motivation and felt drained. I needed the break, I had lost the desire to play, and practicing had become an obligation.
"Now, on the contrary, I feel full of energy, and actually enjoy practicing. I have set myself new goals and look forward to performing again at the top level.
"I have been doing different things these two months - other sports and relaxing with my friends and family. I have also been working on my mental approach with a sophrologist to help me put things in the right place. I know more about myself and feel able to answer my own questions.
"I now have clear goals: For a start, I want to win the Castelló Masters and the remaining tournaments, and then I want to return gradually to where I should be, and perform to my full potential, i.e. be World Number One.
"I needed to miss the game a little bit. Obviously I missed it, that's why I am back."
Garcia was the inaugural winner of the event in 2008 and fourth last year, and admits that the event holds a special place in his heart.
"The first edition of the Castello Masters was a very emotional moment for me," he added.
"Firstly, Seve had just been diagnosed. Secondly, we had been working for a long time to host a European Tour event in my home club. And thirdly, I won at home, in front of my family and friends and the people of Castellón, particularly the kids. It was a perfect and very special week.
"This year the course is in top condition, I have never seen it as good. My father and the maintenance team have done a great job."
Although he has been taking a break from golf, Garcia was a key part of Colin Montgomerie' backroom staff for Europe's victorious Ryder Cup campaign at The Celtic Manor Resort.
And although he enjoyed the position of Vice Captain, the eight-time European Tour winner expects to return to the playing staff for a sixth time in 2012.
"I met with Monty before The Ryder Cup and told him about my plans to do my best in the British Open, the Bridgestone and the PGA," he said.
"I offered to collaborate with the team if I was not chosen. I said to him ‘Golf and the Ryder Cup are greater than us'.
"It was hard not to play the Ryder Cup during the practice rounds. During the matches we were all fighting together as a team and that was great.
"I am obviously a Ryder Cup fan. The atmosphere is unique, not only within the team, but also the galleries are special. And you make friends for life. It's a huge honour to be in the team, not only as a European but as a Spaniard. After the British, the Spanish contingent has been the largest in the history of the event."
