Sergio Garcia shrugged off a poor season and constant criticism to move within one win of the all-time Ryder Cup points record.
Garcia was rested for the first match of the 2018 edition before joining Sweden’s Alex Noren for a foursomes win in the afternoon.
The 2017 Masters champion, who needed a wildcard call from Thomas Bjorn to take his spot on his ninth team in the competition, then joined Rory McIlroy for a fourball clash against Americans Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau on Saturday morning.
It was the Spaniard who ended the US comeback in that match with a 20-foot birdie putt at the 17th hole for a 2 & 1 win.
‘I think that I’ve proved myself over and over,’ Garcia said.
‘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.’
McIlroy admitted his teammate’s passion had helped his play.
‘The fire and the passion that he has, it’s infectious, and it rubs off on me pretty well,’ McIlroy said.
Garcia admitted he generates plenty of encouragement from the team format.
‘That’s one of the reasons why I’ve enjoyed foursomes and fourballs, because I feel like it’s nice to have someone around that you can put your arm around and kind of cheer yourself on,’ Garcia said.
‘Golf is such a lonely game throughout the whole year. Sometimes it’s nice to have a friend next to you that is cheering for you.’
Garcia faces Rickie Fowler at 1:29pm (SA time) with Team Europe needing just 4.5 points to regain the cup.
