HARRINGTON CUTS HIS RYDER CUP WILDCARDS DOWN TO JUST THREE

EUROPE’S Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington will have just three wildcards at his disposal for next year’s trophy defence in n America — at his own request. The Irishman wanted the number reduced from the four available to Thomas Bjorn last time. ‘My feeling is that if you’ve played well enough to finish ninth on the automatic qualifying list, then you’ve done enough to be in the team,’ said Harrington (below). ‘I also think players feel more comfortable if they’ve qualifie qualified through their own efforts, rather than being picked.’ thT The 12-month q qualifying period will begin in September at th the BMW PGA Ch Championship at Wen Wentworth and end a year l later at the same event. Meanwhile, the BetFred British Masters gets under way at Hillside today.