Padraig Harrington believes he can press his case over the next two weekends to make history as the oldest golfer ever to play in the Ryder Cup. Having been captain two years ago at Whistling Straits, it would be a stunning return for the 51-year-old.
Pete Cowen, Harrington’s coach, has been telling anyone who will listen – and many who would not – that European captain Luke Donald should pick Harrington for September’s match in Rome. Cowen has even cornered Donald a few times to state his man’s credentials to replace Ray Floyd in the record books.
Harrington has previously dismissed the notion, but after shooting a 66 here at the Genesis Scottish Open to reach seven-under and stand three behind Rory McIlroy, he revealed his ambitions.
“As regards the Ryder Cup, I’ve got these two events here and next week’s Open,” he said. “I’ll see at the end of Hoylake where I am and I’ll talk to Luke. If necessary, I’ll change my schedule. I’m 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 it’s real.”
Harrington’s form on the Champions Tour has been outstanding, lifting five titles in the last 13 months, including successfully defending at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open last month. “Luke wronged me after that with his congratulations, but also said that it would be remiss of him to say he wasn’t watching,” Harrington said.
“He asked about my schedule. I said how I play in Scotland and at the Open will determine everything. If I don’t have good weeks it won’t be enough.”
The three-time major champion told Donald not to include his success among the veterans when deciding on his six wildcards in seven weeks’ time. “I don’t think we should take the Seniors Tour into account, it’s different golf,” Harrington said.
“I should be judged on how I play in DP World Tour and PGA Tour events. That’s it. I’ve seen some nice form and I’m gradually getting better and better. I played well in Abu Dhabi [when finishing fourth at the start of the year] but that was a good round with my back to the wall. This has so far been better in terms of being stress-free. I like what I see this week.”
In truth, it would be a huge shock if Donald selected Harrington. No doubt, he remains physically capable – Harrington performed gallantly in finishing 27th at last month’s US Open – and with his experience he could figure at Hoylake. But he was not a good captain, presiding over a record 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits in 2021. With LIV players such as Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood ineligible to play at Marco Di Simone Golf Club, Donald has spoken of the opportunity to bring in the new generation. Furthermore, the Rome layout would not suit Harrington nearly as much as the links terrain.
McIlroy will obviously be in the Italian capital and, on this evidence, could be back in the blue and gold as a five-time major champion. He suffered the worst of the conditions in his afternoon 66, but his efforts were still enough to hand him the outright lead, one clear of Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (62) and Koreans Byeong Hun An (70) and Tom Kim (65). McIlroy won the Open the last time it was hosted at Hoylake – nine years ago – and after his second at the US Open looks in fine fettle.
“I think four-under was the worst I could have shot today,” McIlroy said. “I thought I played really well and gave myself a lot of chances but it’s swings and roundabouts. Yesterday I holed a couple of long putts and today they didn’t go. But I’m confident heading into the weekend.”
Meanwhile on the Ladies European Tour, Charley Hull – who, herself, came runner-up in last week’s US Women’s Open – experienced a preposterous day in the first round of the Aramco Team Series at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire.
Hull shot a five-under 68 despite a quintuple-bogey 10 on the par-five sixth. The Englishwoman bounced back from that mini calamity, playing the last 12 holes in eight-under to tie the lead with world No. 2 Nelly Korda. Ten birdies to with a 10.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.