European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal has delivered Padraig Harrington one last chilling Ryder Cup ultimatum – “Do extraordinary well this week, and you can make the team”.
Harrington is currently nine places outside of automatically qualifying for the European Team and with just three events qualifying events remaining.
However at this stage Harrington will play just two – this week’s PGA Championship and the first event of the FedEx Cup Series, the August 23rd commencing Barclays Championship in Farmingdale, New York.
Padraig Harrington's still a hit with the fans but can he win Jose Maria Olazabal's 'wildcard' favour? (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Two years ago, Harrington was competing in the same event when his wife, Caroline received a text message out on course that Colin Montgomerie had chosen him as a ‘captain’s pick’.
However since then, Harrington has continued to struggle to get back to anywhere near winning form with his last taste of success being the 2010 Iskandar Johor Open on the Asian Tour.
Olazabal last night invited nine of the leading 10 on the European Team rankings to dinner with the one exception being Lee Westwood who did not arrive into Charleston until late the same night.
Olazabal was then again quizzed today in a press conference he attended with USA rival, Davis Love 111 what he thought of Harrington’s chances.
“Padraig, he has to do really extraordinary well,” said Olazabal.
“He’s well down the list. He will have to really do extraordinary well here. We’ve known Padraig, he’s a very methodical player. He really works hard at it.
“I’ve played with him a couple of times during this year. From tee-to-green, his game has been fairly good, but I think his putting has let him down this year, so far.
“As I said, three weeks left. It he really does extraordinary well, he can have a great chance of making the team still, but it’s going to be up to him.”
And if you needed a reminder who is Olazabal’s favourite then you only had to hear his glowing remarks in favour of countryman, Sergio Garcia.
Garcia failed to qualify for the 2010 Ryder Cup but at No. 10 currently on the standings he is closer to heading to Medinah than Harrington.
“Well, you’ve seen him play a Ryder Cup. He’s a great team player,” said Olazabal of Garcia.
“His spirit is always really good. And in that regard, I think he’s a great asset to the team. He has the experience, the knowledge. He wants to be part of it.
“Pairing-wise, he’s proved the last few Ryder Cups he can play with anybody, and he’s done well.
“And I think that’s very important. If you are looking at the players to be on your team, Sergio would certainly be on of them for sure.”
www.golfbytourmiss.com suggests if Garcia should fall outside the 10 he will be chosen as a ‘wildcard pick’ with the second pick being England’s Ian Poulter currently lying 12th on the qualifying table.
Olazabal has yet to choose his four vice-captains and will not be rushed into that decision until after the qualifying process has ended.
And if the qualifying table stays the same here is www.golfbytourmiss.com prediction for the vice-captains – Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
