Garcia: Ryder Cup veteran

The Open is the one I enjoy most every year because of the history and the way the crowds are.

Sergio Garcia
Quotes of the week

Sergio Garcia told Golf Night he hopes 2008 will be the year he breaks his majors duck.

But for a final-round falter, it might have been Garcia and not Padraig Harrington holding aloft the Claret Jug at Carnoustie back in July.

The Spaniard's stomach for the big occasion was questioned in the aftermath of that disappointment, but he remains confident that a major success will come - and the Open is top of his hitlist.

"Hopefully I'll have at least one good shot at a major, like I did last year," he told Richard Boxall.

"The Open is the one I enjoy most every year because of the history and the way the crowds are - how much they know about golf. Also I like the links courses."

If Garcia has not quite managed to translate his ability into personal triumph on the biggest stage, he has never had any problem finding his 'A' game in the Ryder Cup.

This year's Valhalla showdown will - assuming he makes the European team - be the 28-year-old's fifth appearance, and he has been on the winning side three times.

Despite their recent record, Nick Faldo's men are still considered underdogs by many observers, but that tag does not bother Garcia.

"The most important thing is to go out there and perform that week and to come together as a team," he said. "The other stuff doesn't matter at all.

"I'm looking forward to it - we have some good youngsters coming up in Europe. Hopefully they'll get in and we'll have that team for years to come."