It is four years since Garcia last played for Europe and that ended not only in an American victory, but also him losing the top singles 5&4 to an inspired Anthony Kim.
He did not win a game during the week and was even left out of the second day foursomes - like Lee Westwood the first time he had ever been omitted from a session.
Westwood has since had things to say about captain Nick Faldo's decision then, but Garcia recalls: "I asked to be dropped - the week before I was sick all week and was on antibiotics.
"I didn't have enough energy and said to the captain and vice-captains that I'd love to keep going, but I don't feel like I should and hopefully somebody else will be able to do a better job."
His overall record is still a fine one - 14 wins and four halves in 24 games - and he has gone nine foursomes unbeaten, four of them with Luke Donald.
What European captain Jose Maria Olazabal had planned for him was probably going to become a little clearer today as the countdown to the match intensifies.
