Newly-crowned Portugal Masters champion Padraig Harrington confirmed he will contest the European Tour’s Final Series.
There was some uncertainty if Harrington, who moved to 43rd on the Race to Dubai following his success at Vilamoura, would commit to the three events but his long-time manager, Adrian Mitchell confirmed the triple Major winner will compete next week in Turkey and then travel to South Africa for the following week’s Nedbank Challenge.
And if Harrington is still inside the top-60 he will tee-up for what will be only a fourth occasion in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship starting on November 17th in Dubai.
Harrington last qualified for the Tour Championship in 2012 finishing ninth behind Rory McIlroy.
Padraig Harrington has his hands full after capturing a 30th pro career title. (Photo – European Tour)
The past two years, Harrington has concentrated on the PGA Tour’s ‘Fall Series’ in the US.
As well, Harrington has again stated his clear intention to be a player rather than Europe’s captain in the next 2018 Ryder Cup at the Le National Club outside of Versailles, France.
Harrington, who was a vice-captain in 2014 and 2016, had indicated following Europe’s six point defeat at Hazeltine that he was not interested in the 2018 captaincy and was more intent on competing for what would be a seventh occasion.
“With the Ryder Cup, Paul McGinley kind of changed the parameters,” he said.
“It took three and a half years out of Paul McGinley’s life.
“It certainly took two years out of Darren Clarke’s playing career. I want to be a player. If I go for the captaincy nobody is going to give me back the 45th and 46th years in terms of my playing career.
“It’s a huge sacrifice and as much as I would love to be Ryder Cup captain, selfishly I want to be a golfer. I want to compete and win tournaments so I’m going to push it down the road.
“Hopefully I will get an opportunity down the road. At the moment I am focused on playing. Whether it’s a reality or not or whether it’s a possibility, in my head I am going to make the Ryder Cup team in 2018.”
Dane Thomas Bjorn, as Chairman of the Tournament Players Committee and also a four-time European Team vice-captain, is short-priced favourite to be appointed 2018 European Team captain.
A committee comprising the three past European Captains in Clarke, McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal along with European Tour CEO Keith Pellly plus Players Committee representative and reigning Open Champion, Henrik Stenson are expected to meet prior to Christmas to choose a new captain.
