Sergio and Luke

By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Dublin

Sergio Garcia revealed just how much the Ryder Cup means to him after inspiring Europe to a 5-3 lead after the first day at the K Club.

Garcia was the only player on either side to win a maximum two points, teaming up with Jose Maria Olazabal in the fourballs to beat David Toms and Brett Wetterich, and then renewing his unbeaten foursomes partnership with Luke Donald to see off Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk.

The Spanish star has now won an amazing 13 points from 17 matches since making his debut as a 19-year-old at Brookline in 1999, four more than Woods has managed despite playing in one more contest.

"I just love the Ryder Cup," said the 26-year-old. "I could not live without it. It's amazing. That drives me to try even harder and it's always nice beating Tiger.

"It was a tight match and you could see he was really getting (it) on on the back nine. It was great to get one (point) from him. I'm just very lucky, I get really good team-mates all the time and I just go out there and help them a little bit and that's how it works."

Garcia's press conference with Donald gave an insight into why the team spirit of the European side is always highlighted as a factor for their success.

After a question in Spanish from one journalist, Donald jumped in. "I'll take that!" joked the Englishman.

And as Garcia gave a long-winded answer, Donald began signalling for his team-mate to wind it up because time was running out.

Donald had been left out of the opening fourballs despite being ranked ninth in the world - just one place behind Garcia - and admitted: "I was disappointed, I wanted to be out there as much as possible but it's a tough decision Woosie has.

"So far it's working well so you can't argue with what the captain has done.

"It's difficult to come straight into the foursomes and get any rhythm. I hit a terrible tee shot again down the first" - "You were just looking for an angle!" insisted Garcia - "and there is a lot more pressure on individual shots," said Donald.

"But I found some rhythm at the end and started driving it well and made some putts. When you have three feet for birdie on 16 and 17 it's nice when your partner hits it pretty close.

"It was great for the team that everyone played on the first day. It gets people used to the competition and the pressure. For all of them to contribute today is great. To be 5-3 up is a good position for us."