British Open Diary

A round-up of other news from the British Open

Harrington running out of Ryder time

THE clock is ticking down on the automatic qualifying process for the Ryder Cup and, with each passing day, it seems as if Pádraig Harrington may require a captain’s wild card pick if he is to make a sixth successive appearance when the match takes place at Celtic Manor in October.

Queried yesterday as to whether Harrington was deserving of a captain’s pick, US Open champion Graeme McDowell gave an honest assessment. “I think it just depends on how he’s playing at the time. On current form, maybe not,” admitted

McDowell, who claimed that the Dubliner was needed on the team.

Harrington will have to make a late surge over the coming weeks to leapfrog his way on, with an important stretch which takes in the Irish Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the US PGA Championship.

“Pádraig did pretty well at Firestone last year (in the Bridgestone) and (has) got a pretty good track record (in the PGA) . . . if he starts playing a bit better, he’s the kind of guy we need on the team. He’s the kind of guy, you tee it up against you’re going to be scared. He’s going to grind you down in matchplay.”

G-Mac added: “There’s a lot of stuff to happen between now and the picks, and I’m sure Monty was wishing he had an extra pick at the minute.”

The stretch of tournaments that takes in Killarney, Akron and Whistling Straits will be vital for Harrington – otherwise, he may have to add the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles (the final counting event) to his schedule at the expense of the first of the season-ending FedEx Cup tournaments, the Barclays Championship in New Jersey.

Montgomerie has intimated he wants anyone not already qualified to be at the Scottish tournament to push their case.

Lowry takes heart despite 17th blip

SHANE Lowry may have become one of the famous Road Hole’s victims – running up a double bogey six on back of the bogey at the 15th to put a bit of a damper on his final round – but the 23-year-old left with the belief he could one day get his hands on a major title.

“That’s what I work for. That’s why I go to the practice ground every day, to compete in tournaments like this. In major championships you need a bit of luck and hopefully some day it will come to me.”

He finished with a closing round 75 for 287, in tied-37th.

Clarke will be waiting on the post

WHAT you got, Mr Postman? Darren Clarke will be looking closely at the post over the coming days to see if he has managed to secure an invitation into the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

“That’s why I’m a little annoyed,” said Clarke, after finishing with a 71 for 288, leaving him in tied-44th. “I was hoping to finish in the top-30 and sneak up a few places (on the world ranking). C’est la vie.”

Clarke’s provisional ranking after St Andrews is 102nd, with the US PGA traditionally inviting the top 100.

Moriarty boosted by a surprise visitor

COLM Moriarty got special encouragement on the putting green ahead of his final round – from Glasson owner Tom Reid, who flew over on a “red eye” early-morning flight. Reid has been a sponsor of the Athlone golfer since he turned pro.

“It was brilliant to see Tom before the round. I mean, Tom and (wife) Breda have been fantastic since I turned pro. They’ve been a great support, as have all the people who’ve sponsored me, Team Ireland Golf Trust as well.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to reward them and performances like this are good for them too, I guess.”

Moriarty’s debut in a major finished with a birdie on the 18th for a 70, leaving him on one-under-par 143 in tied-37th.

“I’ve taken a lot of self-belief out of this week because there’s always a question mark about how you’ll perform on this type of stage. This week I’m happy with the way I’ve handled myself,” said Moriarty.