Olazabal thinks Garcia unlikely to make Ryder Cup

U.S. Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal said on Wednesday he would be surprised if fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia made Europe's Ryder Cup team this year.

"We must not get ahead of ourselves on this. He (Sergio) has just played in seven European tournaments this season and all of us on the Tour would struggle to get into the Ryder Cup playing just seven," Olazabal said during preparations for the British PGA championship, starting on Friday.

"Sergio must just do the best he can and make his card for next season. Then he will be able to concentrate 100 percent on his golf next year."

Garcia, 19, who only turned professional in late April, has made an explosive entry into the paid ranks.

He was joint 25th in his debut performance at the Spanish Open in Barcelona but then stunned the U.S. circuit when he opened with a 10-under-par 62 on his way to equal third place in the Byron Nelson Classic two weeks ago.

In his second European Tour appearance last week, Garcia put together rounds of 70, 70, 71 and 74 for a respectable share of 20th spot at the European Tournament Players' championship in Germany.

As an affiliate member of the European Tour, Garcia can only play in seven tournaments this season on an invitation basis.

"If he manages to win a couple of tournaments in Europe, that would be lovely. But it would be a bonus," said Olazabal.

"It's not a matter of it (Ryder Cup selection) being too soon. It is simply matter of him having a chance.

Reuters