Padraig Harrington vital to the Ryder Cup

By

DANIEL O'CARROLL,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Larger Text

Print

E-mail

Make a comment

Padraig Harrington

Tweet

English golfer Ian Poulter, a member of both the US PGA and the European Tour, has said that Ireland’s most successful golfer, Padraig Harrington, will be vital to Europe’s efforts in the upcoming Ryder Cup.
 
The golfer from Hertfordshire was effusive in his praise for the Irishman, who made a promising return to form at the Irish Open in Killarney recently:
 
“Padraig’s experience of playing in the Ryder Cup is huge. He’s a gutsy character but then if you looked at his record in the last two Ryder Cup’s he would be the first to admit he hasn’t played all that well,” he said,
 
“But aside from that I don’t think there is any player in the American side who would want to play against him because you know you are going to be in for one tough golf match.
 
“He’s a grinder and he will grind out a score and he will wear you down.
 
“So a Padraig Harrington in the right frame of mind, and a player who is back to playing good golf, is a great player to have on a European Ryder Cup team.”
 
Harrington has a chance to seal his place in Montgomerie’s side at this week’s $8.5m WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.
 
“He had such an amazing 18-month spell but then to see him get back in contention again is great to see,” continued Poulter.
 
Others, though, are not so sure. Current US Open Champ. Graeme McDowell hinted that Harrington had to improve his game if he were to make the cut, but seems to have changed his mind since seeing his recent play pick up:
 
“There is no way he will not be in the side now.
 
“He had a good week in the Irish Open and these are the two weeks when he generally plays well. He is a guy you want on your team.” said the Northern Irish golfer.

Print

E-mail

Tweet