Sergio Garcia sees Ryder Cup hopes hang by a thread after US Open misery
Spaniard is facing a race against form and time to make Bethpage
Suffering Sergio Garcia' s Ryder Cup hopes are dangling by an even-thinner thread after his US Open failure.
Europe's record points scorer is desperate to get to Bethpage in September for an 11th crack at the United States. But his latest letdown and inability to make it through to next month's US Open at Oakmont is another hugely damaging blow following his PGA Championship frustration.
The former Masters champ missed the cut at Augusta in April before admitting moments after final round at Quail Hollow that he wouldn't accept a pick from captain Luke Donald if offered right now due to his poor form. Garcia immediately headed for Dallas to join 85 rivals competing to grab one of seven qualifying spots available from the 36-hole event at Bent Tree Country Club.
Despite a strong first-round of 65, his second effort of 71 saw the LIV Golf ace miss out by a shot. That will see a run of 25 consecutive appearances at the tournament ended and now leave his last shot at a Major this term resting on making it through qualifiers for The Open at Royal Portrush.
Although Garcia will head to Europe between LIV events to play DP World Tour events, Major performances are going to be key with skipper Luke Donald admitting last week in the build-up to the PGA that he and his staff would be looking closely at the big-four events in terms of picking their side.
While talking about various aspects of how the team would be selected for Bethpage from those who do not make the automatic qualifiers, Donald said a number of factors would be taken into consideration and performance in Majors would be a vital component of the process.
He said: 'We do have pretty in-depth data, even on the guys on LIV. So we can track, we know exactly how they're playing.
"Then obviously the majors are important. I think that's the time when everyone gets together and on good golf courses, you have stacked fields.
"And just to see how they're playing in those is another point that we take into consideration quite a lot.'
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