CHASKA, Minn. — Sergio Garcia is one of the most experienced players heading into the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National, and he's ready to let his play do the talking in one of his favorite events.
"Everyone knows how much I love the Ryder Cup," Garcia said Tuesday. "It's great to be back here in another Ryder Cup team for Europe, and it's going to be a great week. It's not going to be easy, but we can't wait to start."
Garcia, 36, has a glimmering 18-9-5 Ryder Cup record, but he's heard all the chatter about America assembling "the best team ever created" with their "special task force" and he wanted to make sure everyone knew where the tournament will be won.
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"Obviously everyone has — you know what they say, opinions — we all have one," he said. "Everyone's allowed to have their own opinion, but at the end of the day, you don't win Ryder Cups with your mouth."
Of course, Garcia was alluding to NBC broadcaster and former PGA Tour star Johnny Miller saying this European team might be the weakest team in years. Needless to say, Garcia didn't agree.
"Well, Johnny says a lot of things," he said. "Obviously he's not always going to say the right thing."
Even though Europe has won three straight Ryder Cups, it is viewed as an underdog away from home and having six rookies on its squad. Garcia understands the U.S. does, in fact, have a quality team, and Europe needs to be focused.
"I think the most important thing is knowing that it's not a done deal," Garcia said. "Even though we are on a good run, it's going to be tough, and we tried to tell them all that, all the rookies, that you have to fight hard."
There's a common perception that the Europeans have more team camaraderie than the Team USA. Garcia agreed with the notion, and pointed to a possible explanation.
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"I think probably it has to do with the European Tour," he said. "I think that our Tour is a lot closer between players. When you come on the European Tour, you share rooms with players and stuff like that. That doesn't really happen on the U.S. Tour.
"Don't get me wrong, I think the PGA Tour is a great tour, but it's a little bit less personal than the European Tour is."
Garcia enjoyed a successful spell partnered with Rory McIlroy two years ago, and the two are expected to see time together again. Either way, Garcia knows he will be comfortable with his partner.