
Sergio Garcia has secret Ryder Cup weapon for team Europe as he eyes dream double
The Spanish star is still fighting to be at Royal Portrush and Bethpage
Fired-up Sergio Garcia reckons his valuable Ryder Cup experience could make him a big asset to Europe as he eyes a dream Bethpage and Open double.
The 45-year-old is currently playing the LIV event in Dallas aiming to book his ticket to next month's cracker at Royal Portrush.
If Garcia ends the Texas event on Sunday evening in the top five of the individual LIV standings and top of those stars not already qualified for the 153rd Championship, he'll be heading to Northern Ireland.
Currently fourth, those above him at the start of play, Joaquin Niemann, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, have secured their spots in the Open field and Garcia can join them if he stays in his current position.
Garcia hopes an outing at The Open will see him complete a special set of summer tournaments during a huge five weeks where he will also tee-up back on the DP World Tour at next week's BMW International Open in Germany and at LIV Andalucia on his beloved Valderrama and in the UK.
He's excited for the challenges and, speaking to Marca, he said: 'I'd say every moment is important, but without a doubt, these five consecutive tournaments I probably have now are important because of their position in the season and because there's a Major in between.
'Starting now in Dallas, then the BMW International Open, Valderrama, which I'm really looking forward to because I'm defending the individual and team titles. If I play well here in Dallas, I'll qualify for the British Open and wouldn't have to play qualifiers.
'Finally [LIV] UK. It's obviously an important part of the year and I have to try to do my best.
'I've always loved and been motivated to play in Spain. Every time I play in my country is very special, and fortunately, I've had a lot of success in my career when I've played tournaments at home.
'It's beautiful, it motivates me a lot to play in front of my fans, but Valderrama is even more special because it's my favourite course and I've always been very good at it.
'If everything goes well and nothing unusual happens physically, I'd definitely like to be at the Spanish Open.
'I'll try to play in some other tournaments at the end of summer or late fall.'
Garcia firmly believes he still has the chance within this key current timeframe to convince captain Luke Donald he is worthy of a place in the side for the clash against United States.
Europe's record points scorer feels he can be an asset and played alongside the skipper when the continent was last successful on away soil at Medinah in 2012.
He said: 'There are still almost three months to go until the Ryder Cup, although a little less time until the team selection and I think I'm in a position where I would have chosen it at the beginning of the year.
'If they had told me I was going to be in this position and with a chance of being on the Ryder Cup team, obviously I would have taken it without a doubt.
'Now what I have to do is keep showing my strengths, keep showing my golf, especially what I showed in the first third of the year.
'The good thing is that I know I'm on Luke's ballot and I just have to keep showing that I can do good things and that I can help the team. The Ryder Cup is my favourite golf tournament in the world.
'It would be incredible to be able to compete in another Ryder Cup, especially knowing that in New York, at Bethpage, it's going to be tough and maybe a little experience always comes in handy.'
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