Romero hungry for further success at the top

Argentina's Andres Romero, the hottest player in the game for a three-week stretch last year, is eager to make the most of his first season as a PGA Tour member.

Romero, who captivated fans around the world with a spectacular final round at the 2007 British Open, knows he can perform at the highest level and is hungry to do so on a more regular basis.

After finishing third in the British Open last July, Romero built on his rapidly growing self-belief by clinching his maiden European Tour title at the Players Championship the following week.

"Going into the British, I felt like I could compete but that I was just one of the guys," the 26-year-old told Reuters after firing a one-over-par 73 in Thursday's opening round at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

"After the British Open, I knew I could really compete with all these guys and I was up to their level. That feeling just carried over to the Players.

"Those weeks were unforgettable and really opened up my eyes. Not only was it good to experience it then but it now gives me great confidence for the future."

Romero, who took up golf at the age of eight, soared from 114th in the world rankings to 29th within a fortnight by winning the Players Championship in Germany by three strokes.

That breakthrough victory earned him a spot in the elite WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, the following week when he maintained his golden run by tying for sixth.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

However, it was his last-day performance in the British Open at Carnoustie, where he was briefly on the brink of a shock major victory, which catapulted his name into public awareness.

He led by two strokes after making a birdie at the 16th but double-bogeyed 17 and dropped another shot at the last on his way to third place.

"I did miss an opportunity to win a major but I was able to handle it well," he said, speaking through a Spanish interpreter. "I would have loved to have won but I won the next week and the confidence has just carried over.

"It has helped me a lot and hopefully if I am in the same position this year I know what not to do," he added with a laugh.

Two shots ahead of Sergio Garcia and eventual winner Padraig Harrington with two holes remaining, Romero suffered a bad break on 17 when his ball ricocheted out of bounds.

On the 18th, he missed the green and pitched to 10 feet, only to see his putt rim out and his claret jug chances disappear.

Romero, desperately close to becoming Argentina's second successive major winner after U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, has set his sights on improved driving accuracy this year.

"I want to hit more fairways statistically speaking," he said. "That's going to be key for me to compete in the majors: just to hit more fairways. As for my short game, that is perfect," he added with a flashing grin.

On the 2007 European Tour, Romero languished in 184th spot out of 188 with an average accuracy percentage of 50.3.

By Mark Lamport-Stokes, Reuters