Obama all set to make Paddy's day

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON will be a guest of US president Barack Obama at the White House St Patrick’s Day party next week, the golfer has confirmed.

“I got an invite to go to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House, I won’t say it’s perfectly convenient, but it’s worked out, obviously, as I’m in the States,” said Harrington, who is in Florida for the second WGC event of the season.

“I can fly up and come back down in the same day and meet the President – it’s very nice,” said the 38-year-old.

He added: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s something different. You know, obviously President Obama is one of the most charismatic people in the world, one of the most powerful people in the world; you want to meet these people and see what they are like and get your own judgment on things.”

Addressing the media in Miami yesterday, Harrington was forced into handing out an impromptu geography lesson. Asked if a victory in Doral would represent a triumph for Ireland or Britain, he was only too happy to set the reporter straight.

“By asking that question, you haven’t shown very much insight into anything, so I’ll let you go do the homework on it,” he replied.

“That would be like if a Canadian won here, would it be a triumph for the Americans or the Canadians?

“I’m not from Britain. I’m Irish. I think you want to talk to one of the guys from Northern Ireland. I’m from the other side, in the Republic: Green, white and orange.”

Meanwhile, reports that Tiger Woods is working with his swing coach Hank Haney have leading golfers talking of a possible return for the world number one.

The websites of the Golf Channel and Golf Digest have reported Woods was seen working with Haney at a driving range in Florida over the weekend, which has led to speculation his return could be on the horizon.

“It’s certainly going to be interesting to see not just how he plays but just how he handles the whole situation,” Rory McIlroy said yesterday. “I think everyone is excited to see him just get back out on to the golf course and play golf, and from the reports I’ve heard he seems to be swinging it well and as good as he ever was.”

The first major of the year is the US Masters at Augusta on April 8th, and if Woods were to return for that event he would likely pick a March tournament to get into the groove. The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and the private Tavistock Cup, both close to Woods home in the Orlando area, would appear to be ideal.