Triple Major winning, Padraig Harrington unfurled a Ryder Cup team white surrender flag following the second round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
Harrington, who was competing in the company of USA Ryder Cup Captain, Davis Love 111, posted a four over par 76 to fall back to two over par but assured of making the halfway cut in the year’s final Major.
Harrington, whose last main Tour win was the 2008 PGA Championship, had to take two unplayable drops in finding water during his round.
Padraig Harrington sinks his putt at the first hole on day two of the 94th PGA Championship. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“It wasn’t stress-free and it was tough,” said Harrington.
“But then it’s not the wind that is strong as it’s the golf course is really, really difficult.”
Harrington returned to Kiawah Island buoyed after he had teamed in 1997 with Paul McGinley to deliver Ireland a first-ever World Cup success.
However Harrington’s upbeat mood changed when he was asked to address European Team captain, Jose Maria Olazabal’s virtual wildcard ‘snubbing’ of the Dubliner during a Tuesday press conference.
Olazabal went to great lengths to sing the praise of countryman Sergio Garcia and England’s Ian Poulter but simply pair lip-service to Harrington’s hope of making it a seventh straight Ryder Cup since making his debut in 1999, saying he needed something ‘extraordinary’ to make the team.
“He (Olazabal) said it, so there you go,” said Harrington.
“He’s obviously got players in mind from that.
“I can’t do anything about it, honestly. I missed out on the eight tournaments that guarantee you World Ranking points by not playing well last year.
“I’ve played solid in every event. I really ‑‑ I couldn’t be happier with my form and my game.”
Two years ago, Harrington had been a surprise Colin Montgomerie ‘wildcard’ but, unless Harrington can win his final event next fortnight in The Big Apple there will be no surprises come 27th August when Olazabal names his own picks.
“I would love to have an exceptional week, but then golf is at least clearer in my mind now. I won’t be waiting. I won’t be waiting on (smiling),” said Harrington.
“So I have to do something very good here or at the Barclays next fortnight.”
And asked if he was surprised with the apparent certainty of Olazabal’s tone, Harrington said: “Well, he’s obviously got things in his mind.
“There certainly isn’t very much room for a pick for me.
“You’re looking at Ian Poulter (12th on the points table) is going to get one and there’s one left.
“So I’m not in the reckoning as it stands. So I have to do something exceptional. At least it’s clear.”
And Harrington denied there is any bad blood between he and the Spaniard.
“I get on with José but it’s quite clear with one pick already basically gone, it leaves very little options left,” said Harrington.
