I'll fight hard to get through mental fatigue, says Sergio Garcia

First round leader Alexander Levy plays his approach shot from the ninth fairway during day one of the Spanish Open at Valderrama (Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images).

Garcia, who won the last European Tour event to be staged at the former Ryder Cup venue in 2011, was one under par after eight holes, but came home in 39 to finish three over par, eight shots off the pace set by France’s Alexander Levy.

It could have been worse for the world No 16, who holed from 30 feet for par after finding water on the fourth and from 20 feet on the last after a poor drive.

“I’m in a difficult moment of the season,” said Garcia, who was three off the lead after an opening 69 in the Masters last week, but shot 81 in the third round and eventually finished 34th.

“I’m a little bit mentally tired I guess, which is disappointing for me to come here to the Spanish Open and feel like I am not maybe as strong mentally as I would like to be. I just have to fight hard and get through it. I am going to have a nice break after this which I feel like I need.”

Levy, who was second in the Perth International earlier this season, carded seven birdies and two bogeys in a five-under-par 66, which gave him a one-shot lead over defending champion James Morrison, Andrew Johnston, Alejandro Canizares and Stuart Manley.

“It’s a very tough golf course, but I like when it’s tough because it’s not a putting contest,” Levy said. “You need to play well from tee to green and it’s the way I like to play a golf course, that’s for sure.”

Morrison carded five birdies and one bogey in the tougher afternoon conditions despite coming into the event after a six-week break.

Woodsome Hall’s Chris Hanson is tied 23rd after an opening 72.

After a birdie at the second, he had successive birdies at holes three and four.

Another at nine had him out in two over, but he moved back to level with birdies at 10 and 11 before stumbling to a fourth bogey of the day at 18.

Leeds’s Daniel Gavins had a 75, bogeys at one and six being compounded by a double bogey at the seventh.

He came home in level par with a bogey at 12 offset by a birdie at 15.

Harrogate’s John Parry also had a double bogey at seven on his way to a first round 81.

A further double bogey followed at the 16th and he also endured seven bogeys.