Bernie McGuire at Kingsbarns Links
Padraig Harrington’s on the committee to select the next European Ryder Cup captain and he’s revealed his feelings in joining the growing chorus calling on victorious Rome captain Luke Donald remain at the helm for 2025.
Harrington was not in Rome instead, and somewhat disappointingly, Europe’s immediate past captain spent the weekend at home, glued to the couch watching TV coverage of Europe’s successful Roman conquest.
“I was thrilled with the result last week .. Oh yes,” he said.
“I was at home watching it on TV and enjoyed every minute of it. Of course, naturally delighted for Rory and Shane but just so pleased for Luke and the team as it was absolutely brilliant.
“I just loved the fact how much it turned around for Europe. Two years ago, there was talk that Europe would never win again in 10, 20, 30 years. Now, two years later the USA were resoundingly beaten and what a moment for European golf.”
This interview was interrupted as Harrington headed into a temporary halfway house café of sorts for players, caddies and guests looking for a donut. However, to his dismay, the donuts were all gone.
“I was looking forward so much to having a donut after my round, and now you’re telling me they’re all gone,” he said smiling. “That’s so disappointing”.
Harrington was assured by a halfway house staffer: “I am sorry about that. You have my word, we’ll have them tomorrow.”
Unfortunately or whatever, Harrington is at the Old Course on Saturday.
However, getting back to the Ryder Cup, Harrington indicated he was quickly in contact with Donald to offer his congratulations.
“It’s just amazing what a difference the crowds made last week compared to two years ago when we were still in the midst of COVID and no Europeans could travel,” said Harrington.
“Now looking ahead to Bethpage Park in two years time and the New York crowds begs the question, who would want the job?” he added, smiling.
“Seriously though, heading to the ’25 Ryder Cup, there is a real possibility that a captain should stay on board for back-to-back Ryder Cups, and for home-and-away roles.
“It’s so unpalatable to accept an away captaincy that I feel that maybe home-and-away would be a good way going forward, though the only thing against that is that we do work on a principle, and doing that, some of our best captains would not have got the job”.
Going by past European captaincy announcements, it would be March when we could expect confirmation of the 2025 European Ryder Captain, however Harrington admitted he was not sure if he will be on the selection committee.
In past years, it’s been the past three captains, the CEO of the European Tour in Keith Pelley and the Chairman of the Players committee, David Howell.
“I was on the last committee that chose Luke but I don’t know. I don’t know if they are going to change that or not. I’ve not been informed,” said Harrington.
Harrington was speaking after posting a four-under par 68 in overcast and very windy conditions on the Kingsbarns Links course, one of three Alfred Dunhill Links host venues.
Harrington ended Thursday’s opener with a closing double-bogey for a score of 73 at Carnoustie, the venue for his 2007 Open Championship triumph, but it was a much better showing at Kingsbarns.
He started on the 10th and picked-up a birdie at the stunning par-5 12th that runs along the shoreline of St. Andrews Bay, ahead of a bogey at 14 and a birdie at 16.
His bogey-free inward half was capped with birdies at the third, fourth and sixth holes.
“It was a good day’s work out there in tough conditions though it was a lot windier earlier in the round while it was not so windy there at the end,” he said.
“In fact, it’s calmed down quite a lot.
“I played much better today than yesterday up at Carnoustie, drove the ball better today and was a lot happier with my round today.”
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