With his latest victory, the former world number two jumped from 31st to 18th in the world golf rankings. However, playing in the Ryder Cup is Garcia’s ultimate goal, especially considering he missed the 2010 iteration of the event at Celtic Manor as a player for the first time in 11 years.

2012 European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal is confident Sergio has what it takes to qualify for his team at Medinah Country Club next year. “I am sure that Sergio will be in the Ryder Cup,” Olazabal said. “He’s got a special charisma and a solid game. He helps the team and he needs to enjoy himself on the course.

“Unless I go as captain I won’t go back to the Ryder Cup if I’m not playing,” said Sergio. García holds a 14-6-4 record at the Ryder Cup, competing for the European team in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008. In 2006 at the K Club in Ireland, Sergio won both his fourball and foursome matches and on day two, he paired up with Jose Maria Olazabal to win both their matches against Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco helping Europe to an easy win 18½ points to the United States’ 9½ points.

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Sergio García Sets Sights on 2012 Ryder Cup

Looking for a new test for your golf swing in 2010? How about teeing off from the top of a mountain in South Africa to a green 1,410 foot below? It’s been called the hardest shot in golf and more than $1 million awaits the player who can register a hole-in-one.

Known as the the Extreme 19th, this unique golf hole is so high the ball takes almost 30 seconds to reach the ground. The hole is based at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort, within the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in South Africa’s Northeastern Limpopo Province . The other 18 holes on the course were designed by PGA Tour stars such as Trevor Immelman, Sergio Garcia,  Padraig Harrington and Robert Allenby.

A round of golf – including a buggy and lunch – will set you back R450 ($70). The Extreme 19th costs $1060 per four ball and includes a helicopter ride, souvenir cap, glove, golf driving tips and a DVD of you playing the hole. Players must take a helicopter to the top to play the longest and  highest par three on the planet.

So far, no one has come close pocketing the million-dollar prize, but Padraig Harrington became the first golfer who doesnt’t need any golf driving tips to conquer the hole within par. Harrington said, “This is the type of innovation and  excitement we need to get more people playing  golf. There aren’t many new innovative ways  to play the game but this is certainly one of the best. I think this hole is  awesome. I love the whole experience, the helicopter, the views, the drama and having the  green the shape of Africa . And now I’ve got bragging rights over all the other professionals who have played this hole and  not managed to make a three. I love everything about it.”

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The Extreme 19th – The Hardest Golf Hole Ever Created