Padraig is still upbeat in wake of record loss

Defeated European captain Padraig Harrington insists the future remains bright despite their record Ryder Cup loss to the United States at Whistling Straits.

A home team boasting 10 of the world’s top 13 players raced to a 19-9 victory – the biggest winning margin in the modern era – having dominated from the first day.

It was seen as a changing of the guard for the USA team, for whom Dustin Johnson was the oldest player at 37 and which had an average age of 29, compared to their opponents’ 34.

The 43rd Ryder Cup will probably prove the final fling as players for European veterans like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, but Harrington believes the next generation can flourish in a team built around the likes of world number one Jon Rahm (26), Rory McIlroy (32), Shane Lowry (34) and rookie Viktor Hovland (24).

“Look, there are young guys in this team that will be the heart of the team going forward,” said the Irishman.

“Jon Rahm, clearly. Viktor. These are young guys that will be there for a long time.

“But there’s a good heart to the team. Everybody keeps going on about the experienced guys but there is a really solid heart on this team of players who are still coming into their peak of their careers.

“There are a lot of guys in the middle of their career now who should be moving on in their golf. They certainly haven’t peaked yet.

“Yes, we would look to young guys coming in over the future but the heart of this team will be here for a few more years for sure.

“They haven’t got to their peaks yet, so we should see some strength going forward. There’s plenty of guys here.

“We’ll draw lessons from this week but most of these guys were winning in Paris (in 2018), so there’s still quite a winning mentality there going forward.”

Rahm and Hovland are already setting their sights on the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in 2023.

“I’m hoping I can keep playing good enough to be in this team again. I don’t want to take anything for granted,” said Spain’s world number one.

“I hope we can repeat it because that is something I want to do again.”

Hovland, who became Norway’s first Ryder Cup player, found the team environment an eye-opener.

“It was such a cool experience getting to know these guys a lot better. Maybe a little too well,” he said.

“But I can’t wait to come back in two years’ time and get even closer.”

Steve Stricker meanwhile has ruled out a second spell as Ryder Cup captain, despite leading the US to a record victory.

World No 2 Dustin Johnson was the first US player since Larry Nelson in 1981 to compile a perfect 5-0 record as the home side cruised to a 19-9 success, the biggest winning margin in the modern era.

Europe won by nine points at Oakland Hills in 2004 and The K Club in 2006, while the United States also won by the same margin at Walton Heath in 1981.

Asked if he would like to captain the side again, Stricker said: “I don’t think it’s going to happen.

“It’s mapped out and there’s guys in positions to be the next captains.

“It was an unbelievable experience, don’t get me wrong. I’m glad it’s over.”

Two-time major winner Zach Johnson, who was one of Stricker’s vicecaptains in Wisconsin, is favourite to be given the task of leading the US to a first win on European soil since 1993.

And Johnson’s opposite number is likely to be Lee Westwood, who has made no secret of his desire to succeed Padraig Harrington as Europe’s captain after making his recordequalling 11th appearance as a player at Whistling Straits.

Harrington was quick to praise Stricker and his side, saying: “They obviously got it right this week, a very strong team, but I’m happy for Steve Stricker.

“He’s one of the good guys in golf. If you’re going to get beat by a captain, that’s a good captain for sure.

“He obviously got his plan right. Whatever their prep was, they did a good job, and they came out and started well and kept the momentum going. It was just a tough one to overcome.

“I believe that we did our job and it just wasn’t our week.”