Harrington to captain Europe at Ryder Cup

Padraig Harrington has been chosen as captain of the Europe team for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits

But Harrington barely raised a smile as he spoke for the first time as Europe’s new captain.

In fact, as he discussed his thought process before accepting the position, the challenge awaiting him over the next 20 months and its potential impact on his golfing legacy, the role already seemed something of a burden for the easygoing Irishman.

‘‘It’s not something I take on without a certain amount of trepidation,’’ said Harrington, a threetime major champion.

He used the word ‘‘daunting’’. He acknowledged he was putting his golfing status on the line. He questioned whether he would find the ‘‘edge’’ needed to lift Europe to a win over what will be a strong American team at Whistling Straits in 2020.

So did he really want a job that will consume his life and effectively put his playing career on hold for the next two years?

‘‘I was certainly thinking and considering it,’’ he said, when asked if he contemplated turning the offer down. ‘‘I don’t think I ever thought I wasn’t going to do it, but I wanted to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons.

‘‘I wanted to be clear that I didn’t just walk into this because it was the next thing in my career, but that I believed in it and wanted it.’’

Harrington did say he felt it was the right time to become captain. He played in six straight Ryder Cups from 1999 and was on the winning team four times. He has served as vice-captain for the past three Ryder Cups.