European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington has been overlooked for 2021 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame (WGHOF).
Harrington had been among 10 finalists including four male nominees – Tiger Woods, Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Farrell.
The WGHOF selection committee met at the body’s Florida offices early in the week of the cancelled Players Championship, electing as their ‘Class of ‘21’ – Woods, Marion Hollins, former PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem with four-time women’s major winner Suzie Maxwell Benning announced Friday as the final 2021 inductee.
It is understood the Committee spoke to the three-time Major winning Harrington ahead of their March meeting, advising that they felt it more appropriate he be inducted post the 2020 Ryder Cup, with the likelihood of a bigger selection impact should he lead Europe to victory.
At the time the world had not been hit by the full Coronavirus pandemic impact and now with just under 150 days to the hosting of the Ryder Cup there remains uncertainty if it will go ahead from 25th to 27th September at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
Harrington came under the Hall of Fame spotlight when the body recently voted to lower the qualifying age from 50 back to 45 years of age and the Dubliner was made aware of his possible induction earlier this year.
“I did not realise the Hall of Fame had brought the age back to 45 so that’s good to learn,” said the 48-year old Harrington ahead of January’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“I would hope that I would be honoured at some time in my career but what do I say as I would like those honours to just pan out and let them take their course.
“Saying that, it would be a great honour to be in the Hall of Fame, and it would be an incredible honour no doubt about it.”
Ireland’s only inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame include: Joe Carr (2007) and Christy O’Connor Jnr (2009).
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