Golf365 and Sporting Life - Ryder Cup

Despite his age, 28, Garcia will be one of the wise old heads of the European side as he prepares for his fifth Ryder Cup in Kentucky. The Spaniard became the youngest-ever player to appear in the event when he made his debut at Brookline in 1999 aged 19 years, eight months and 15 days. While he was to ultimately end on the losing side, Garcia immediately looked at home in the powder keg atmosphere, forging a formidable partnership with Jesper Parnevik with whom he was unbeaten in four matches. El Nino seems to embody the tremendous spirit for which European sides are renowned with his infectious enthusiasm, but he is not just good for morale as his sparkling win percentage (0.75) demonstrates. Since tasting defeat at Brookline he has been a key member in each of Europe's last three victories and after forming another redoubtable partnership, this time with compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal, came close to becoming the first player to win all of his matches in a single Ryder Cup meeting at the K Club in 2006. He won all four of his foursome and fourball contests over the first two days of competition before losing out to Stewart Cink in his singles contest - although it made little difference to the final result. He has enjoyed another productive year in the pro ranks in 2008, although that much-coveted first major crown eluded him in painful style at the recent USPGA Championship as he was edged out down the straight by Padraig Harrington once again.