Quiros a lonely figure on trips to America

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AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- Alvaro Quiros is caught between continents.

The 26-year-old Spaniard (whose surname is pronounced kyeer-OHZ') is one of the rising stars on the European Tour, winning once this year with a tie for second in another start.

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At No. 37 in the world rankings, he also realizes that there is more money, more prestige and perhaps more fame awaiting him should he move across the Atlantic Ocean and play at least part of the year on the PGA TOUR.

But he knows that means a lonely existence.

"The only difference between Europe and America is the company outside the golf course," said the bachelor. "I mean, inside the golf course I'm very happy. I'm comfortable. But outside (the course), I'm too alone, which is a difficult situation to manage."

Quiros is one of the longest hitters anywhere in the world. He was paired with one of the longest U.S. players, J.B. Holmes, and the two had to work to not get caught up in a can-you-top-this contest off the tees.

After an opening 72, Quiros matched Jerry Kelly for the low round of the day with a 65 in Friday's second round. He stands at 3-under 137, just four shots back of leader Padraig Harrington.

He soon faces a decision, the same one that players such as Harrington, Ernie Els, Camilo Villegas, Retief Goosen and Angel Cabrera have already made.

"I should do it now," he said of the move to playing 15 or so times in the States. "I'm 26. If I don't do it now, when am I going to do it? I'm not going to come back to America, if it's not my home, at 35. So it would be a good idea to come now."

Still, there is the solitary lifestyle. He's not sure if he can continue to spend most of his time in a hotel room, a prisoner from a foreign land.

"If I want to play here, I have to be able to manage," he said. "We will see."