Five missed cuts, a 509th OWGR ranking, and a Ryder Cup standing so low it barely registers (174th). All these stats scream how Sergio Garcia's season has been anything but smooth.Well, that and being a member of LIV Golf, which does not receive points.The Spaniard was even sidelined from the U.S. Open first time in 25 years and finished T67 at the PGA Championship.But one thing that stands strong and firm is his desire to wear European blue at Bethpage Black this September. That exact fire also led Garcia to a dinner in Munich with Euro captain Luke Donald."Well, my hopes are to be there," Garcia told Golf Digest at LIV Golf Andalucia on Wednesday."I know that I'm part of the equation. So that's good to know. But I also know that I need to keep improving my game and keep playing better to make sure that Luke and his vice captains have a good weight behind the decision if they want to take me. So that's all I can do."Garcia also revealed how the dinner with Donald wasn't just a catch-up but came with a subtle wake-up call from the captain."Go out there and force me to pick you," was the message from Donald, expressed Sergio when asked about any prep talk given. Though it was not as direct, he said later."He definitely ... he was like, I just want you to get back to playing like you were playing before the [2025] Masters and how consistent you were."I told him that's what I'm working on. I'll be ready; I'll be there when you need me. That's all I can do. So, let's see."Sergio Garcia knows he's running out of timeThe 45-year-old Spaniard's early-season form was promising. He carded a T4 at Macau, won at LIV Hong Kong, and finished third at LIV Miami.But since Augusta, his game has cooled. Still, it was enough to earn him a spot at next week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, via LIV's top-five exemption rule.It'll be Sergio's 26th Open appearance, and possibly his last chance to earn Ryder Cup points before Donald announces his six captain's picks.The current top six in Europe's standings include Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka.Garcia sits 174th, and unless he delivers something special at Portrush, he'll be relying on reputation and a captain's gut.Asked if Portrush carries extra weight, Garcia shrugged, "No, the motivation... doesn't [change] for any tournament. There's always high motivation."But even he knows this isn't just another week. It's kind of the final call to prove himself.More Golf: Jordan Spieth Confirms Status for The Open amid Nagging Neck Injury