By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Augusta

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Sergio Garcia believes the wet conditions at Augusta will favour the long hitters this week - and top of that list is Tiger Woods as he chases an unprecedented third straight Masters title.

Monday's practice day was washed out for the first time in 20 years after an inch of rain fell on the course during violent thunderstorms.

Garcia and Woods were able to get out onto the course today despite the overcast conditions and more heavy rain being forecast, and the young Spaniard revealed how much the conditions had changed since last week.

"It's a pity because we played on Thursday with Ernie (Els) and the course was really firm and fast, hopefully the weather dries up a little bit," said the 23-year-old, who finished eighth last year, one of four top 10 finishes in the majors in 2002.

"It's going to be less difficult for the longer hitters, any guy that can carry it far is going to have less into the green because it's not going to roll," said Garcia.

"I hit a two iron on the 18th today after quite a decent drive, it was cold and uphill. On Thursday I hit driver and eight iron to the front pin position, it's quite a big difference.

"There are some long holes out there and these greens are not made to hit long shots in to if they get firm."

Garcia has missed the cut in his last three events and also lost in the first round of the World Matchplay to Kevin Sutherland as he struggles to make adjustments to his idiosyncratic swing.

"It's getting there," added Garcia, who played a practice round today with compatriot Alejandro Larrazabal, the British Amateur champion.

"It's feeling better, I played quite solid at the Players' championship and lost it with the putter and finished badly on 16 and 18 by hitting it into the water.

"I talked about it with my dad and decided the other swing was getting away from me. I used to get the club left of target and a bit short of parallel.

"It's a big change and it's not easy but I'm getting used to it a little bit. I still hit some poor shots, but I'm hitting some better ones.

"I'm looking forward to this week, it's always one where you try that bit extra hard and hopefully my swing will come together and we'll have a good week.

"You focus a bit more on chip shots and shots into the greens, knowing sometimes you don't have to hit it straight at the pin to hit it close."

Garcia was the only player to finish in the top 10 in all four majors last year, but insists he is under no pressure to claim a first major title.

The closest he came remains the second place behind Woods in the 1999 US PGA when the 19-year-old was trying to become the youngest winner of a major for 129 years.

"I know what I expect from myself and that's good enough for me," added Garcia.

"It will be great to get it as soon as you can but you can look at it two different ways.

"I'm really looking forward to it but I'm still young and have plenty of years to have chances, but the sooner it comes the better it's going to be."