Could Padraig Harrington Make A Sensational Ryder Cup Return?
Sky Sports commentator Wayne Riley thinks Harrington should be one of Luke Donald's six wildcards
Padraig Harrington has been backed for a sensational wildcard to play for Europe at this year’s Ryder Cup.
Captain Luke Donald has six picks for September’s contest in Rome at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
Europe are bidding to wrestle the trophy back from USA after Harrington was skipper in 2021 in a record 19-9 thrashing.
But Harrington, who turns 52 next month, has enjoyed considerable success on the PGA Tour Champions where he is seventh on this season’s money list with $1,136,136.
He secured his fifth victory on the Tour last month at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and also came tied 27th in the US Open won by Wyndham Clark.
The Irish pro has played in six Ryder Cups and has 10.5 points from 25 matches. And former pro Wayne Riley, now a Sky Sports commentator as well as a columnist in Golf Monthly, thinks Donald should consider picking the veteran and pairing him with fellow Irishmen like Rory McIlroy or Shane Lowry.
Riley, speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, insisted: “Let’s think about Harrington.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“He was top 30 in the US Open. I think it would be great. His experience in the locker room would be sensational. He is thrashing the ball and hitting it as far as the youngsters.
“The way he played last year was unbelievable on that Champions Tour.
“Imagine seeing him and Rory or Shane Lowry - you wouldn’t understand a word they said.
“I don’t think it would happen but I would loved to have seen it.”
Half of Donald's 12-man team will qualify automatically for the event through the standings.
He and American counterpart Zach Johnson have until Sunday September 3 to decide on their final picks.
There are expected to be four places up for grabs in the European team as Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry are likely to make it.
But recently Adrian Meronk, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard have thrust themselves into equation too.
Aberg, a former amateur world number one, fired a final-round 63 at the John Deere Classic last Sunday to finish in a share of fourth place. He also impressed Donald by shooting 65 and 67 when playing with the skipper the previous week in Detroit in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Donald has admitted the youngster, who only turned pro in June, is firmly on his radar for September.
America are hot favourites but have not had Ryder Cup success on European soil since 1993.
Riley added: “Rome is going to be American-style golf from watching the Italian Opens there, just to get my eye in.”
James Nursey is a freelance contributor to Golf Monthly after spending over 20 years as a sports reporter in newspapers. During a 17-year career with the Daily Mirror, he covered mainly football but reported from The Open annually and also covered a Ryder Cup and three US Opens. He counts a pre-tournament exclusive with Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 as one of his most memorable as the Englishman went on to win his first Major and later repeated much of the interview in his winner’s speech. Now, after choosing to leave full-time work in newspapers, James, who is a keen single-figure player, is writing about golf more. His favourite track is the Old Course after attending St Andrews University but has since played mainly at Edgbaston, where he is on the honours board. He is an active member of the Association of Golf Writers and Press Golfing Society but his favourite round is playing the game with his children. James is currently playing: Driver: Ping G400 3 wood: Ping i20 Hybrid: Ping i20 Irons: Ping i500 4-SW Wedges: Ping Glide forged 50, 56 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: Titleist ProVI
-
How Does NIL Work In NCAA College Golf?
Name, image and likeness deals were given the green light by the NCAA in 2021, but how does it work in college golf?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Which Players Secured A DP World Tour Card At The 2024 Challenge Tour Grand Final?
The Challenge Tour Grand Final threw up drama yet again, as 22 players secured their playing rights and cards to the DP World Tour next season
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Much Money Rory McIlroy Has Made Every Year On The PGA And DP World Tours
Rory McIlroy is one of the highest paid golfers in the history of the sport - but how much has he won each year on the PGA and DP World Tours?
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Did Rory McIlroy Forecast ‘Cutthroat’ PGA Tour Changes?
The PGA Tour is set to vote on several key changes to the circuit - including the reduction of field sizes, which McIlroy called for earlier this year...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The 4 LIV Golfers Currently Qualified For The DP World Tour Championship
Jon Rahm is one of four LIV Golf players in with a chance of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm And Ludvig Aberg Among Big Names Missing Abu Dhabi Championship As Rory McIlroy Headlines Field
The entry list for the first DP World Tour Play-Offs event is in, with the top 70 teeing it up at Yas Links next week
By Elliott Heath Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Sees Tours 'Doing Their Own Thing For The Foreseeable Future' As Talks Over Future Of Men's Pro Game Continue
The four-time Major winner thinks there could be progress in the talks by the end of the year, but that it could be some time until the main circuits come back together
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Don't Think Bob's Too Impressed' - Watch MacIntyre's Reaction As Rory McIlroy Drives The Green
Robert MacIntyre was clearly unimpressed as Rory McIlroy drove the green on a par four at Kingsbarns, as he was just lining up a putt at the time
By Paul Higham Published