Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington says he’s excited not only returning to India for a first time in 22-years but is looking forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with the new Irish Ambassador to India.
Harrington is heading to India for a first occasion since losing the semi-final of the 1994 India Amateur title to Frenchman and now retired European Tour colleague, Christian Cavaer.
Harrington joins India’s top world-ranked Anirban Lahiri in headlining the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event starting next Thursday on the Delhi GC in New Dehli.
And with St. Patrick’s Day falling on Friday March 17th, Harrington revealed he’s been invited to join the Irish Ambassador Brian McElduff at the Irish Embassy for a celebratory function,
McElduff is only new to the position after having ‘presented his credentials’ to President Pranab Mukherjee of India on 3 February 2016.
Irish ambassador Brian McElduff presented his credentials’ to President Pranab Mukherjee of India earlier last month.
“There’s certainly been a lot of golf played since I was last in India playing in the India Amateur Championship in Calcutta,” said Harrington after posting a second straight 71 to remain at three over par ahead of the final round of the Valspar Championship.
“I got through to the semi-finals losing to Christian Cavaer.
“I know it’s a long way to go just for one event but I had been due to compete out in Thailand this week but then this visit has been locked-in for some time, and I’m looking forward to going back to India.
“Also I have been invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish Embassy so I am looking forward to that.”
Padraig Harrington details on the electronic score board to the side of the 18th.
Harrington’s Valspar third round included three birdies in his opening eight holes but with the big hiccup in his round in taking a double bogey at the par three 13th ahead of also dropping a shot at the 16th.
“The first nine was very easy but then the wind got up on the back nine and clearly a double bogey was very disappointing and you take that off the card, I could be right us there,” he said.
“I dropped three shots in that stretch so that was also annoying.
“It had been a good fightback on Friday afternoon and I was very pleased as I played very well with a few birdies there towards the end of my round to get me here today.
“So the game is better and certainly better than last year, and it’s close for sure.
Padraig Harrington (green shirt on green) lining up the last putt of his round.
“But then if I hadn’t of dropped those three shots there today I would be well up there but then in holding the course record here, I am sure there is a low one in my bag for tomorrow.”
And there was the bizarre scenario after his round when Harrington was asked to sign an autograph for a parishioner of a church in New Jersey, and with the woman seeking the autograph for the Parish Priest, Fr. Paddy O’Donovan at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Cedar Knolls.
“Could you please sign this for Father Paddy,” she asked very politely.
“And would you please sign it ‘To Father Paddy’?
“He’s just got so many pictures of you. He loves you and the whole church just worships you.”
It prompted Harrington to reply: “Well, that’s a good place to be worshipped.”
Padraig Harrington happy signing autographs after his round.
