Garcia’s all ready to Ryde

from NEIL SQUIRES SERGIO GARCIA sent a resounding message to European captain Thomas Bjorn that he’s ready for the Ryder Cup, after a flying start to the Portugal Masters yesterday.

Garcia blew away the cobwebs after a month off by shooting a five-underpar 66 in Vilamoura.

It provided a timely shot in the arm after a poor season and reassurance for Bjorn after his wildcard gamble on the Spaniard.

And although in-form Matt Wallace, who was overlooked for a pick, went even lower – recording seven under at the Dom Pedro Victoria course – at least Garcia justified the faith in his first appearance since his call-up.

He rolled in a 10-foot par save on the last with the specially-commissioned Ryder Cup putter he will use in Paris on his ninth appearance in the competition next week.

Garcia said: “I asked Odyssey for a putter last week and they came back with a surprise – one in Ryder Cup colours with a star from each of the Cups I’ve been a part of.

“On the last I was thinking this could be the kind of putt that I could have next week on the 18th to maybe win or halve a match. It gave me a little bit of nice motivation.

“I played well. I didn’t play extraordinarily – I left easily three or four shots out there – but it was nice to play at a good level.”

Wallace, who overcame two penalty drops in his first two holes to shoot 64, has every right to feel aggrieved over missing out on a European team place after three wins this year.

But the Englishman, who trails leader Herbert Lucas by one shot, said: “Sergio has my backing. He’s a top guy and it was cool to play with him.”