RORY CAN ROAR US ON
Says Ryder Cup captain Padraig
NEW European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington is eager to have Rory McIlroy in his team in 2020.
The three-time Major winner was yesterday named as Europe’s skipper for the clash at Whistling Straits next year.
And his first move was to hand McIlroy a golden ticket to the defence of the trophy that was won at Le Golf National last September.
The former world No.1 has caused a stir recently by opting to play on the PGA Tour in America after calling the European Tour a “stepping stone”.
Loves
But Harrington made sure he did not get dragged into the controversy as he was unveiled as the man to replace Thomas Bjorn as Europe’s captain.
The Irishman said: “I can only look at his actions – that man loves the Ryder Cup.
“He’s become a leader in the team – he gives so much to the Ryder Cup and the Ryder Cup gives so much back to Rory.
“He’s 30 and he gets to be a leader, he gets the glory, he gets to be loved on the golf course, he gets the exuberance of the crowd. You don’t get those things day in, day out.
“He will be 100 per cent in that team, no doubt about it. You just have to know the man behind the scenes. I know there’s words but his actions speak louder and he’s as European as they come.
“Yes, he’s moved to the States, his family’s over there, he wants to win The Masters and those words are coming out but his actions are not that way at all.”
McIlroy had backed Harrington for captain – even if the man himself had doubts about taking on the job.
The popular Dubliner said: “I don’t know about a rubber stamp but at 49, coming to the end of my playing career, everything was lining up. But I had to be sure I wanted to do it. I’ve won three majors in my career but taking the captaincy is a different level. I want to find an edge to get the players to perform to the best of their abilities.”
Harrington, who represented Europe six times and was on the winning team in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010, added: “I don’t want to be a winning captain at all costs but I want to be a winning captain.
“This is a once-only opportunity, which makes it extraordinary. You can be a great captain and lose or a poor captain who wins. It’s very black and white.”
The US are yet to name their next captain with Fred Couples and Steve Stricker both in the frame.