For a first time in his career triple Major winning Padraig Harrington fears not qualifying automatically for the European Ryder Cup team.
Harrington, who is contesting this week’s Barclays Singapore Open, has decided to add the UBS Hong Kong Open to his schedule as he looks to firstly bank on competing in the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
Harrington had been forced to sit out last week’s lucrative WGC – HSBC Champions event after failing to qualify for the first time for a WGC since early 1999.
“Last week was the first WGC I did not play in and that was disappointing as they have been running close to 12 years,” he said.
“It means if I am not performing then I need to start performing but then I just have to be patient as I know there will be good times ahead.”
The current World No. 79 ranked Harrington has contested the two Dubai World Championships finishing fourth in 2009 and 39th last year.
But at this stage, the 40-year old is lying 74th from the 15 Race to Dubai counting events he’s contested and that’s 14 spots shy of qualifying for Dubai.
“It’s going to be difficult for me to get into the Dubai World Championship but I will now play three tournaments and will need one big finish,” said Harrington.
“It will take 100,000 points plus for me to qualify so I am going to need one of those top three finishes.
“I am playing here in Singapore, defending next week in Johor and I’ve added the Hong Kong Open to my schedule.
“I am mindful that if I don’t get into the world events it is very difficult for me to get into the Ryder Cup.
“I also need to get into next year’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship.
“So missing last week’s WGC – HSBC Champions is a big issue for me in terms of getting into the Ryder Cup.
“I have got to play well next year in the right events otherwise the Ryder Cup won’t happen for me.”
