Carnoustie, Scotland …
Hazeltine vice-captain Padraig Harrington returned the European Tour virtually ruling himself out in replacing Darren Clarke as 2018 Ryder Cup captain in Paris.
It’s been less than a week since the European Team lost by six points to the Americans in Minnesota and already there’s strong discussion as to who will replace Clarke.
The 2018 Captain will be selected early next year when European Tour CEO, Keith Pelley along with the past two Captains in Paul McGinley (2014) and Clarke will meet to choose a successor.
Also joining this meeting will be the Chairman of the Tournament Players Committee, Dane Thomas Bjorn.
What he does so well … Padraig Harrington engaging with his younger fans and on day one of the Alfred Cunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie.
But for a second occasion running Bjorn will be asked to step aside and will be replaced by a Players Committee member given Bjorn is red-hot favourite to replace Clarke for the 2018 Ryder Cup at the Le National course outside Versailles.
The 15-time Tour winning Bjorn had been in the 2016 captaincy mix when he was replaced in the selection process by committee member David Howell for that early 2015 meeting.
Harrington stated he’s already focused on breaking back into the European Team given he has not pulled on the European Team colours since 2010, and for the past two Ryder Cup’s now has acted as a vice-captain.
“Everyone that knows me will know that I would want to be playing in the next Ryder Cup, so I am avoiding that question regarding the captaincy,” he said.
“All I will say is that my head says I can still play and I would rather be playing in Paris under a captain than be a captain.”
With England’s Lee Westwood being touted for the 2020 Captaincy at Whistling Strait, Harrington’s name is being suggested for the 2022 captaincy in Rome, and even though he will be aged 51.
Harrington was speaking after posting a first round two under par 70 on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie.
Nine years Padraig Harrington at Carnoustie wins the first to back-to-back Open Championships.
It was nine years ago at the same Scotland course Harrington was handed the first of back-to-back Claret Jug’s in winning the 2007 Open Championship.
Harrington began his round from the 10th and raced to three under after just five holes but found his progress checked in the windy conditions by three bogeys in four holes from his ninth to 12h holes.
“It’s good after being at the Ryder Cup last week to get your head around regular tournament play straight away and two under par is a good start, so I am certainly happy,” he said.
“Of course, I’ve been back here to Carnoustie many, many times since I won The Open here in ’07 but there is always places about the golf course I remember from my Open win.
