Spain may have lost the World Cup in an embarrassing manner by not even qualifying for the knockout stage as the defending champions, but Spanish sports fans can watch the 2014 British Open with high hopes as one of their countrymen heats up in the tournament.

Sergio García had a fantastic opening day to the British Open, which began Thursday at Liverpool, England.

The 34-year-old shot four under and found himself tied for second place after the first day. García had just one bogey to go along with five birdies on the day. He is paired with Luke Donald and Rickie Fowler for Thursday and Friday.

García is ranked No. 9 in the world, so his first two days' performance isn't a huge surprise for golf fans around the world. The big question now is this: Can he hold on in the last two days and deliver the goods?

If García can win this year's British Open, he would win his first career major, as well as join selective company in his home country.

Only two male golfers from Spain in PGA History have ever won a major: José Olazábal and Seve Ballesteros. Olazábal would win two majors, both Masters Tournaments, while Ballesteros would win an outstanding five majors. Ballesteros is also the only Spanish-born golfer to win the British Open, as he did so three times, the last one coming in 1988.

García's best finish at the British Open came in 2007 when he finish in second place. He was ever so close that year losing in a playoff to Pádraig Harrington.

García and Woods have always had a little rivalry with one another. Back and forth on the course duels met with comments afterwards. Both had a great first day and found themselves ranked in the top 10 after 18 holes setting up a must-watch weekend.

Recently, García said, referring to the British Open: "It is my favorite individual tournament. Not only because of the golf courses and the history of it, but because of the people." He also says he's left his outburst and attitudes in the past. In some ways, García used to be the modern day Happy Gilmore.

Day Two wasn't as successful for Garcia, but it was more eventful. Garcia shot two under par for the day after beginning with a bogey on one, an incredible eagle on two, and another bogey on three. Garcia would add three more birdies and is now six under for the tournament with just two days remaining. Garcia has shown inconsistencies, at times, but he always seems to rebound.

At six under par, Garcia is tied for third place and just two shots behind Dustin Johnson for second place.

No other major is more susceptible to high winds and problematic weather conditions than the British Open. We've seen García here before, so we can't get can't ahead of ourselves. García just needs to stay calm and deliver if he is to become just the second ever Spain-born golfer to win the British Open.