Harrington to lean on tried and true for Ryder Cup tilt
ALWAYS an interviewer’s dream, Pádraig Harrington sometimes gives away more than he should, as he did yesterday in Dubai when asked by Nick Dougherty of Sky Sports about Sergio Garcia’s hunger for a 10th Ryder Cup involvement.
At 41, the Spanish talisman lies off the pace for automatic selection against the United States in September, although he has moved into contention in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after a third round 67.
Judging by Harrington’s observation, the golfer he twice edged out down the stretch in majors, is a lock for one of the three wildcards for Whistling Straits, if needed.
‘He (Garcia) gets in the team,’ said Harrington, before correcting himself immediately instantly, ‘I can’t say that.’
‘Garcia is a Ryder Cup man for sure. Whether he plays well in an individual event or not, when it comes to the Ryder Cup, he ups his game. It’s difficult to see him not getting there, put it like that,’ he qualified.
As for England’s veteran Paul Casey, who surged into the lead on 15 under after a stunning 64, which included a birdie-eagle finish, Harrington has no concerns about his selection for a fifth time.
‘Paul should be a stalwart. He’s one of the players right in their prime. I would expect Paul of all the players to comfortably qualify.’
The calibre of players outside the list is akin to a who’s who of Ryder Cup warriors, such as Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Francesco Molinari, Garcia and Casey.
While Open champion Shane Lowry, England’s Matt Wallace and rising Norwegian star Viktor Hovland, who led the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour going into the third round, have ground to make up.
‘I know there’s a changing of the guard. Even this extra year is a year too far for maybe one or two of the older guys,’ said Harrington, who tipped Rose to build on his 66 yesterday.
‘The likes of Justin and Sergio will start moving up there. By the time it comes to it, I expect five people to be in contention for three picks; it might be four for two.
‘At one stage they were offering me eight picks, if there were 24 (players) in contention that would be 730,000 distinct teams.’
Of the potential rookies, lefthanded Scot Robert MacIntyre, a shot behind Casey after a 67, has caught Harrington’s attention.
‘I like his character. He’s got a bit of fight about him. As a rookie you want someone to fight his corner, not be overawed. If he (MacIntyre) played his way into the team I’d be delighted.’
It was a further signal that Harrington is unlikely to opt for rookies as his three wild cards, aware that a number will probably qualify automatically.
‘Rookies help the experienced guys and can rejuvenate the whole team. Tyrell (Hatton) the last time (2018) in the team room was brilliant.’
When the Dubliner finalises his picks in September, one factor will be crucial. ‘Form gazumps everything. If you’ve got a hot player you want them in the team,’ he said.
‘I don’t care about style. The guy who’s not a good ball striker and shoots 66, he’s a better player than the good ballstriker who shoots
67. Let their scores do the talking.’ Harrington is desperate to have Lowry on board and will be heartened by the Open champion’s bogey-free 67 yesterday which lifted him to seven under, alongside Harrington who signed for a second successive 69. The good friends tee off one after the other today.
‘I played better than I scored, that’s for sure. I’ve started putting better. I’ve been ok tee to green. I’m disappointed to be seven under par, not that I putted badly, I three-putted the last.
‘I’d like to be 10 under par and in with a chance,’ said
Harrington after correctly predicting that 15 under would lead.
Tied for 10th, he is delaying the prospect of flat tracks and the 54-hole buddy events on the Champions Tour ahead of his 50th birthday in August.
‘I set myself a goal of being competitive this year or else I’m leaving for the Champions Tour.’
After eclipsing playing partner Hatton, 69 to 71, yesterday, Harrington ain’t doing too bad for a salty old seadog of the Tour.