If you wanted confirmation of Padraig Harrington’s desire to secure a Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick for next month’s showdown at Medinah just ask England’s David Lynn.

Lynn had only hours beforehand finished second in the 94th PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

However because of all his media commitments, the Stoke-on-Trent golfer missed his flight out of nearby Charleston Airport, and instead elected to wait around on the chance of congratulating Rory McIlroy before boarding another flight.

It was at the airport Lynn met up with Harrington and his entourage who were heading off to board their private jet, and realising Lynn’s plight Harrington offered Lynn a ‘lift’ on Harrington Airways Flight 001 to Washington D C where Lynn could connect with his London-bound commerical flight.

Padraig Harrington still hopeful of a seventh Ryder Cup appearance. (Photo - Manus O'Reilly/www.golffile.ie)

But no sooner had the flight levelled out and Harrington was onto his mobile phone checking his position on the Ryder Cup points table post his 18th placing at Kiawah Island.

“That and the conversation we had on the two hour flight just proved to me how determined Padraig is to get on the Ryder Cup team,” said Lynn.

However if Harrington is to contest a seventh straight Ryder Cup he will need an ‘extraordinary’ effort at this week’s Barclays Championship at Bethpage Park in New York.

If so, Harrington would more than likely join Englqnd’s Ian Poulter as a ‘wildcard’ pick.

But if Harrington fails to impress in the Big Apple then the pick is almost certain to be going to Belgium’s big-hitting Nicolas Colsaerts.

Colsaerts then would be the only rookie in the European Team.