Victorious Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn says certain 2020 European Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington has to be ‘true to Padraig’ in seeking to successfully defend the Ryder Cup on US soil for a first occasion since 2012.
Harrington will be named as Bjorn’s replacement early in December and with suggestions Lee Westwood could also be named as Europe’s 2022 Captain.
Harrington has the backing for the 2020 from everyone involved in last fortnight’s sensational seven-point triumph in Versailles including Westwood who is now on record he does not wish to challenge the three-time Major winning Irishman.
Bjorn was asked what advice he would offer Harrington in being interviewed by Sky Sports during the third round of the British Masters at Walton Heath.
Victorious 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn’s best advice to 2020 Captain Padraig Harrington says ‘Padraig has to be true to Padraig’ (Photo @europeantour)
“Padraig has to be true to Padraig,” said Bjorn.
“He has to go with what he’s seen over the years he’s been vice-captain. He’s got an unbelievable playing record in his career. Padraig is also the type of guy that he makes sure he’s thought about everything in being a Ryder Cup Captain.
“I am not in a position to give him advice because I think Padraig needs to believe what is right for him.
“And to be playing in the States it’s going to be a completely different Ryder Cup. When you are playing away you can be very focussed just on the team and what you do as a team and in contrast, when you are a home captain there comes with the role a lot more things to do outside the team room.
“So, that’s why my advice to Padraig is that he stays true to himself.
“Both Padraig and Lee (Westwood) hold all the cards to be future Ryder Cup captains and they each have fantastic careers behind them and each are so very much in with this current group of players and it would be a big suprise if they were not the next captains.
“Now after all the greatness of winning in Paris, we move forward now to Whistling Straits”.
