Garcia was on song in the unofficial "fifth major"

Spain's Sergio Garcia set the early pace as he surged into a two-shot lead during the first round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass.

The 2007 Open runner-up fired a six-under 66 to head Americans Kenny Perry and Paul Goydos.

England's Ian Poulter carded 69 to share fourth place, while world number two Phil Mickelson shot 70.

Open champion Padraig Harrington was in a large group on level par, while Tiger Woods is missing after knee surgery.

Garcia has not won anywhere in the world in nearly three years but the 28-year-old seems confident that the erratic putting which has plagued his career could be a problem of the past.

"I really like the way I'm stroking it and I'm pretty happy with everything that's going on," he said.

"The greens were very nice, very quick but rolling very, very true. If you managed to put some good rolls in there, you were going to make some putts. I wouldn't say it was easy but it was definitely not as tough.

"The only thing I can do is keep giving myself chances, and it's going to happen.

"I feel like I'm getting closer and closer. At least now I feel like I can do it and it's just a matter of being able to do it."

Defending champion Mickelson was pleased with his score, especially after consecutive bogeys around the turn.

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"I certainly let some shots slide in the middle of the round but I was proud of the way I came back. I could have let it get to me and affect the rest of the round but fortunately I didn't."

Masters champion Trevor Immelman, who pulled out because of illness, was another absentee.

According to his manager, the South African woke up on Thursday morning suffering from an upset stomach and vomiting before returning to his American home in Orlando to recover.

"Trevor is certainly disappointed with the timing of this illness as the Players Championship is a tournament he and all the players look forward to each year," said his manager Jon Wagner.

"His main focus now, though, is to use this time that he had previously scheduled off to get well and to prepare himself for the next event."

Immelman, who became the first South African to win the Masters since Gary Player in 1978, has missed the cut in his last two PGA Tour starts.

Argentina's defending US Open champion Angel Cabrera ended two under, while South African Ernie Els also finished level par for his first round.