Former captain Padraig Harrington eyeing historic Ryder Cup playing return
Harrington has found a return to form 13 years after his last Ryder Cup playing appearance and two years since he captained Team Europe

Former captain Padraig Harrington believes he has two chances to prove he is worthy of becoming the oldest-ever Ryder Cup player, 13 years after the last of his six appearances in the biennial event.
Harrington has not won on the DP World Tour since 2016 but has claimed five victories on the Champions Tour in the last 13 months, including successfully defending his title in the Dickās Sporting Goods Open last month.
The 51-year-old also started this season with fourth place in Abu Dhabi and finished 27th in the US Open last month, sparking speculation that he could be in the frame for one of captain Luke Donaldās six wildcards.
Raymond Floyd was 51 when he played in the 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, but Harrington will celebrate his 52nd birthday a month before this yearās contest in Rome.
āI donāt think we should take the Seniors Tour into account, itās different golf,ā Harrington said after a second round of 66 left him high on the leaderboard in the Ā£7m Scottish Open.
āI should be judged on how I play in DP World Tour and PGA Tour events. Thatās it. Iāve seen some nice form and Iām gradually getting better and better.
āI played well in Abu Dhabi there but that was a good round with my back to the wall. This has been better in terms of being stress-free. I like what I see this week.
āWith regards to the Ryder Cup, Iāve got these two events. Iāll see at the end of the Open. Iāll talk to Luke and see where I stand and, if necessary, Iāll change my schedule and come and play over here.
āIām meant to be playing a few Senior events in the middle of the summer. But I will change that and play European Tour events if I have a genuine chance. If itās real.ā

Asked if he had already been in contact with Donald, Harrington said: āLuke rang me a couple of weeks ago. He was actually on to congratulate me for my win, but he also said that it would be remiss of him to say he wasnāt watching.
āHe asked about my schedule. I said how I play in Scotland and at the Open will determine everything. If I donāt have good weeks it wonāt be enough.
āThe team looks good. I have to say that. The good players are playing well. The young guys are coming through. And older guys like Justin (Rose) have come back into form.
āI donāt think they are scrambling to need me in the team. They are very solid. Every week in the States we see a European winning or contending. Itās turned a nice corner for Europe.
āItās nice to have experience, but they are not crying out for it. Although I donāt want to talk myself out if it. But theyāre not desperate to have me in the team.ā
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments