Why I prefer Padraig Harrington, a proud Irishman, to Rory McIlroy -- Love to see him flying the Irish tricolor as he leads golf tournament
Posted on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 08:05 AM
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| Harrington at Bethpage on Thursday (Credit: Golf Week) |
It was good to see the Irish flag fly highest at Bethpage Black on Long Island this Thursday as Padraig Harrington led the field with a smashing 7 under par.
With all the confusion and rhetoric about whether Rory McIlroy was Irish or British or whether he wanted to play for one country or the other it was great to see an unabashed Irishman like Harrington, who has won more majors than McIlroy, take the lead.
The little symbol of the green white and orange beside his name is unambiguous. This is an Irishman through and through, clear in what he represents, with no apology to anyone.
When Rory McIlroy plays it is under the flag of Northern Ireland, which is his statement of identity that he is perfectly entitled to make. I just can’t cheer him on with the same fervor as I can Harrington though.
I understand McIlroy has to tread carefully on this issue of identity, but I’m always proudest when I see the tricolor flying--- that is just the way I feel.
McIlroy and Tiger Woods were supposed to be the big clash of this tournament but Harrington for now at least, has stolen the thunder.
On Monday this week Harrington played at the only Irish golf course in the Tri-State area. The Links at Union Vale golf course is situated in the rolling hills of Duchess County, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Hudson Highlands and the Catskill Mountains.
It was built and created by Irish men and women and Harrington’s presence was the greatest event since the opening in 2000.
Maybe it was the Irish spirit there that saw Harrington head for Bethpage with the old fire in his gut and outshoot McIlroy, Tiger Woods and everyone else.
Or maybe it was the recent snide comments by Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal that Harrington was unlikely to make the team for the seventh consecutive time unless he did something extraordinary.
Well winning the Barclays would certainly do that and I have the feeling that Harrington likes nothing more than a challenge and will give it a right go. Good luck to him. See more: Irish in Golf
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stephendoyle | Aug 24, 2012, 10:39 AM EDT
torbreezy, there were no threats made as required by jingoism, just statements of fact as to the physical location of where he was born. I don't give a rats aXX if he thinks he is Martian....
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torbreezy | Aug 24, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
This "jingoism" should be taken lightly and with a touch of blarney . . . . Huh?
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dermotfastnet | Aug 24, 2012, 10:12 AM EDT
He was born within the 32 counties of Ireland so he's Irish. Forget the flags and bunting and enjoy his great talent as an 'Irish' golfer
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shuvonn | Aug 24, 2012, 09:57 AM EDT
And there is something incomprehensible that a man whose uncle was murdered by loyalists in Northern Ireland simply because he was a Roman Catholic considering declaring for Great Britain in the next olympics. Lets clarify your assertion that he does not feel Irish, so far to my knowledge he has ALWAYS maintained you can consider him Irish if you want, and British if you want. I notice a certain contempt for all things Irish and Ireland in ALL of your posts..... but it's quite typical that if he was no longer successful Great Britain would have him be Irish right away and since he is successful they are trying to declare him British. Like they used to say about Georgie Best, the greatest British footballer but an Irish alcoholic.
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stephendoyle | Aug 24, 2012, 09:53 AM EDT
WoundedKnee- Wether Mcllroy feels Irish or not, he is just that. He was born on the island and will Irish, wether he admits it or not. I am sure there are plenty of people that do not identify with their native countries, but just like family, you can't change where you are born.
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WoundedKnee | Aug 24, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
As you rightly state, McIlroy can make his own mind up as to what nation he identifies with, Borneo or Bhutan for all I care. But I read the Irish newspapers, and there is something contemptible about the sniveling way the Irish media try to claim Irishness for a guy who doesn't feel Irish.
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