Garcia to soldier on

Last updated: 1st February 2013

Sergio Garcia said he would continue playing at the Dubai Desert Classic, despite an injury concern.

Garcia, who started his second round on the back nine, experienced some pain in his shoulder within the first three holes.

The pain was so severe that Garcia even considered withdrawing from the tournament midway through the round.

"I started my round on the 10th but my shoulder was hurting that much I said to my caddy on the 14th green that if doesn't get any better after the 18th I will probably walk off," said Garcia.

However, some treatment from the physio allowed Garcia to continue for the remainder of the round and he even managed to post a five-under-par 67, increasing his tournament total to nine-under-par.

"So I got the physio to come out onto the course and work on it a little bit and he put some Tiger Balm on the area, and it did feel a little bit better," said Garcia.

"But it did start to get a little stiff again on the back nine so I had more treatment so it's getting there," he added.

It is not yet clear, what it is that has caused the pain in Garcia's shoulder. However, the Spaniard does have his suspicions.

"It's the first time I've had any problem with my shoulder and I feel I may have pulled a little tendon or muscle when I was in the gym on Wednesday afternoon.

"It's weird because it didn't feel bad when I was having dinner later that night but it just tightened-up hitting balls on the range ( on Thursday) morning and then on the course it got tighter and tighter as the round went on," added Garcia.

If Garcia does make it through this tournament, it is unlikely he will play again until the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, which takes place later this month.

"I will continue play as long as the arm and shoulder allow me to continue and then probably take a little break and get ready for the PGA Tour season," said Garcia, who is trying to break into the world's top ten this season.