Thomas will be a great skipper & his job’s just my cu p o f t e a !
PADRAIG HARRINGTON has backed the appointment of Thomas Bjorn as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain – but wants the job himself in 2020 or 2022.
Now 45, Harrington admits he thought about going for the captaincy for the next clash between Europe and the USA, the defending champions, in Paris in 2018.
But he believes he’s good enough to compete in at least one more Ryder Cup.
The Dubliner said: “I ain’t getting these years back – I feel I can be competitive.
“I’m putting well. What would worry me more about my game is the fact the modern game is all about distance.
“But I have to take my chances of making the team when I am 46.
“The idea is to see how I get on these next two years. I wouldn’t want to be delaying an application [to become captain] beyond 2020 or 2022.
“The longer you leave it, the more you queue. Being out of sight means you’re out of mind. It’s hard when you’re playing half a Tour on each side, in terms of profile.
“There’s no doubt there is a lot of consideration about putting my name in the hat this time.”
Paul Mcginley, the last successful European captain before Darren Clarke’s team lost in Hazeltine earlier this year, believes Bjorn’s communication skills suggest the experienced Dane will be a success in the role.
And Harrington backed that view last night. “He was impressive as a vice captain,” said the Stackstown man, who played in six Ryder Cups up to 2010 was a vice-captain on the last two occasions the event was held.
“I couldn’t disagree with anything he said or did.
“Myself and Thomas did talk about future Ryder Cups, and how you would approach things, and again, everything he said made sense.
“He has been a vice captain four times and seems to have paid attention.
“He’s right on the ball. For me, looking in, I was suitably impressed.
“It’s a different job when you out front. As a captain, a lot of the time during the tournament is...there’s a huge amount of distraction.
“There’s a lot of pressure and stress. He has served his time.”
Harrington’s aim at the start of 2017 will be to put himself into contention, after ending last season on a high by winning the Portugal Open.
“If I was in the world events this is not an issue,” he said.
“To have a realistic chance of making Ryder Cup, I need to be in those events and compete in the Majors.
“If you’re right on top of your form, you’re still going to have to gather points – it’s not a question of picking them up.
“I will hit 15 events. I’m not playing in Europe until the Irish Open, and I won’t turn down the Scottish Open before The Open in
Birkdale.”