Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia said yesterday he is in no hurry to captain the European team despite his record playing success, stressing his focus is on defending the title in 2020.
Garcia, 39, was on dominant form as Europe beat the United States last year in France, and in the process became the cup’s all-time points leader, eclipsing Nick Faldo’s 21-year record.
Speaking ahead of the start of the Singapore Open tomorrow where he is the defending champion, Garcia said the memory of the Ryder Cup victory was still fresh.
France “was different, it was extremely, extremely special the way it came down to energy and the first tee, the way it was set up, the crowds, everything,” he told reporters.
“The golf course was amazing and the weather was incredible. The way the team came together... it meant a lot to all of us and to Europe.”
Asked if he had ever aspired to captain Europe’s campaign, Garcia said the thought did cross his mind but stressed he was not pushing for that to happen “any time soon”.
He said he still wanted to play on the European team for a few more Ryder Cups if possible, and would only think about becoming captain after that.
The focus “is for all of us to keep playing well, to keep at it because in two years it’s going to be tough” defending the title on American soil, Garcia said.
“Wisconsin is going to be a big challenge for us to keep the cup... so we need to keep our level up,” he said.
Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, was not at his best for much of the 2018 season but European captain Thomas Bjorn picked him anyway as part of the 12-player European Ryder Cup team.
The Spaniard proved himself by becoming the biggest contributor in Ryder Cup history with 25 points.
English golfer Paul Casey, who was also part of the winning European Ryder Cup team, said it was “much easier being a player” than captain.
“The pressure on the captain is immense and he’s at the mercy of the players,” said Casey, who will also play in the Singapore Open this week.
Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington of the Republic of Ireland was this month handed the task of defending Europe’s Ryder Cup title, succeeding Bjorn.
The $1mn Singapore Open will be played over four days at the Sentosa Golf Club.
(From left) Golfers Matthew Fitzpatrick of England, Sergio Garcia of Spain and Paul Casey of England pose with the Singapore Open trophy at a press conference yesterday. (AFP)
