Garcia 'planning break from golf'

Sergio Garcia is to take a break from golf following the US PGA Championship, according to widespread reports.

The 30-year-old Spaniard, who slipped to 50th in the latest world rankings, has not won a tournament for nearly two years and is now set to sit out the next two months.

“It’s been a long year,” Garcia said in quotes reported by BBC Sport.

“I haven’t had a nice, long break my whole career. I need the break, I need to miss the game a little bit.”

Garcia’s poor form means he is unlikely to make the team for the Ryder Cup, unless he is selected by Colin Montgomerie as a captain’s pick.

“I’ve talked to him,” said Garcia. “He knows what I’m planning to do.”

Should Garcia miss the event at Celtic Manor in October, it would be the first Ryder Cup he had not played since turning professional.