Former double Ryder Cup star, Des Smyth believes Padraig Harrington was ‘lucky’ to get a Ryder Cup wildcard pick in 2012 but can count himself ‘unlucky’ if he’s overlooked this year.

Des Smyth is confident Padraig Harrington can consider himself ‘unlucky’ if not afforded a ‘wildcard’ pick for next month’s Ryder Cup at Medinah.

Many believe that unless Harrington can exceed in next week’s Barclays Championship in New York, and the final PGA Tour qualifying event for European-born players, then the triple Major Champion will have to rely on a ‘wildcard’ pick.

Des Smyth says Harrington was 'lucky' to get a pick in 2012 and will be 'unlucky' to miss out in 2014. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

And given Jose Maria Olazabal’s near ice cold assessment last week at Kiawah Island of Harrington’s game, it seem unlikely in the Spaniard’s eyes the Dubliner will be headed to Medinah.

But Smyth, who played 1979 and 1981 Ryder Cup, says that while Harrington was ‘lucky’ to win the vote of 2010 European Team captain, Colin Montgomerie, he will be ‘unlucky’ if overlooked on August 27th.

“Padraig was lucky two years ago to get picked by Monty but he will be unlucky this time if he was not picked,” said Smyth ahead of Friday’s starting SSE Scottish Senior Open at St. Andrews Bay.

“So I can see him being picked and he could count himself unlucky because his form is improving and he’s starting to turn it around and playing it better.

“But then if he’s not picked Padraig will accept that and take it on the chin.

“The thing is also you can’t be picking guys some years ago just because they won Major Championships.   You have to pick current form and that’s the key to any team.

“If I was Jose Maria I would rather be picking a player who is on form as he is always going to give you a few holes.

“No, the standards are just too high and the differences too small.”

Smyth is among four Irish teeing-up in today’s (FRD) starting Scottish Seniors event on the Torrance course at St. Andrews Bay.