2020 European Ryder Cup Captain, Padraig Harrington is hopeful that the performances of Cormac Sharvin and Robin Dawson at last week’s Irish Open will provide the catalyst for the pair to join him on the Main Tour.
The three-time Major winner, who was leading the tournament after day one, lamented a lack of Irish talent on tour in recent years but believes the lucrative finishes enjoyed by Challenge Tour members, Sharvin and Dawson could prove crucial to their development.
“Yeah, we’re definitely lacking at moment on Tour,” said Harrington. “There’s only sporadically three or four of us out there, five at most at times. We need a few young guys out there. When I started out, there was at least 14.
“I know the strength has got much stronger in Europe and there’s less places now; it’s just being squeezed out. But it’s time that we had a few of these guys come through. Cormac does look like a solid player. He’s playing and doing well on The Challenge Tour and just getting his feet, feeling himself into this, and he does look like he has a bright future.
“Robin, obviously, has just turned pro. He’s obviously a very good player. He has to find himself, as well.
“Weeks like this really do help in that sense. You know, it’s got nothing to do with physical ability. It’s all to do with the belief whether they are good enough or not and that has to be deep down. That’s not something you can tell somebody. They have to genuinely believe it deep down in themselves and weeks like this really help.”
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