Ryder Cup veteran Sergio Garcia insists he does not feel a responsibility to justify captain Thomas Bjorn’s decision to pick him.
Of the four wildcards the Spaniard’s selection was the most contentious because there were other players in much better form.
The 38-year-old has endured a tough last few months, missing the cut in all four majors and eight of his last 12 full-field events, although he did register an eighth place at the France Open at Le Golf National in June.
“I think that I’ve proved myself over and over,” said Garcia, who since becoming the youngest Ryder Cup aged 19 in 1999 has accumulated 22.5 points and needs only three to depose Sir Nick Faldo as the leading points-scorer in the match’s history.
“The only thing I can do out there is when I get called upon playing, just do my best, do what I do, do what I’ve always done here at Ryder Cups, and that’s everything.
“I think that probably, to be totally honest, is one of the reasons why the vice-captains and the captain decided to have me on the team, not only for what I can bring on the golf course, but what I can bring outside.
“What I’m going to do is just do what I do best and try to make sure that everyone feels good, comfortable, happy, enjoying themselves, and if we can do that, then it’s much easier for everyone to play their best game.”
This week Europe’s team, as well as the players’ wives and girlfriends, are wearing yellow ribbons in memory of Spain’s Celia Barquin Arozamena, Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year, who was found murdered on a golf course last week.
USA captain Jim Furyk also wore a ribbon during Wednesday’s practice round.
Garcia had met her in the past and expressed his sorrow at the incident, stating would dedicate a Ryder Cup win to her memory.
“My dad spoke to her uncle, and it was very sad when we found out, for many reasons: not only because she was way too young, but she was just too nice of a person, and the way it happened,” he said.
“Unfortunately these things happen in the world, and nowadays, more than ever.
“I guess the only thing we can do is pay a great tribute to her and make sure that her family feels proud of us, and I know they feel proud of her.
“Obviously we want to try to win the cup for Europe, for everyone, for our teammates, but obviously with the passing of Celia, it’s an extra effort there, if you want to say.
“We hope that we can play as well as we can to make sure that we can achieve that.”
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