Harrington Strongly Backs Calls For Donald To Be Asked To Captain 2025 European Team

2 years ago by Comments Off on Harrington Strongly Backs Calls For Donald To Be Asked To Captain 2025 European Team

Padraig Harrington is on the committee to select the next European Ryder Cup captain and in singing the praise of victorious Rome captain Luke Donald he’s strongly backing Donald to stay on for 2025.

Harrington was not in Rome instead, and somewhat disappointingly, Europe’s immediate past captain spent the weekend at home, glued to the couch watching TV coverage of Europe’s successful Roman conquest.

“I was thrilled with the result last week .. Oh yes”, he said.

“I was at home watching it on TV and enjoyed every minute of it.  Of course, naturally delighted for Rory and Shane but just so pleased for Luke and the team as it was absolutely brilliant.

“I just loved the fact how much it turned around for Europe.  Two years ago, there was talk that Europe would never win again in 10, 20, 30 years. Now, two years later the USA were resoundingly beaten and what a moment for European golf”.

This interview was interrupted as Harrington headed into a temporary halfway house café or sorts for players, caddies and guests looking for a donut.  However, the donuts were all gone.

“I was looking forward so much to having a donut after my round, and now you’re telling me they’re all gone,” he said smiling.  “That’s so disappointing”.

Harrington was assured by a halfway house staffer: “I am sorry about that.  You’ll have my word we’ll have them tomorrow”.

Unfortunately or whatever, Harrington is at the Old Course on Saturday.

However, in getting back to the Ryder Cup Harrington indicated he was quickly in contact with Donald offering his congratulations.

“It’s just amazing what a difference the crowds made last week compared to two years ago and we were still in the midst of COVID and no Europeans could travel”, said Harrington.

“Now looking ahead to Bethpage Park in two years time and the New York crowds begs the question, who would want the job (smiling).

“Seriously though, and now heading to the ’25 Ryder Cup, there is a real possibility that a captain should stay on board for back-to-back Ryder Cup’s, and for home-and-away roles.

“It’s so unpalatable to accept an away captaincy and I feel that maybe home-and-away would be a good way going forward though the only thing against that is that we do work on a principle of doing that some of our best captains would not have got the job”.

Judging on past European captaincy announcements it would seem next March when we could expect confirmation of the 2025 European Ryder Captain however Harrington admitted he was not sure if he will be on the selection committee.

In past years, it’s been the past three captains, the CEO of the European Tour in Keith Pelley and the Chairman of the Players committee and that’s David Howell.

“I was on the last committee that chose Luke but I don’t know.  I don’t know if they are going to change that or not.  I’ve not been informed”, said Harrington.

Harrington was speaking after posting a four-over par 68 in overcast and very windy conditions on the Kingsbarns Links course, and of three host Alfred Dunhill Links host venues.

Harrington ended Thursday’s opener in taking a double-bogey on the last hole in a score of 73 at Carnoustie, and venue for his 2007 Open Championship triumph, but it was a lot better showing at Kingsbarns.

He started from the 10th and picked-up a birdie at the stunning par-5 12th that runs along the shoreline of St. Andrews Bay ahead of a bogey at 14 and a birdie at the 16th.

His bogey-free inward half was capped with birdies at the third, fourth and six holes.

“It was a good day’s work out there in tough conditions though it was a lot windier earlier in the round while it was so windy there at the end”, he said.

“In fact, it’s calmed down quite a lot.

“I played much better today than yesterday up at Carnoustie, drove the ball better today and was a lot happier with me round today.”



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