Europe
Profile: Padraig Harrington
| Born | Dublin, Ireland |
|---|---|
| age | 35 |
| height | 6ft 1in |
| Turned Pro | 1995 |
| World ranking | 18 |
| Appearances | (3) 1999-2002-04 |
| Won | Lost | Halved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Foursomes | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fourball | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Win Rate | 61% |
Padraig Harrington has been at the forefront of many an advertising campaign in the build up to this particular Ryder Cup and when the matches start proper at the K-Club the Dubliner will no doubt be in much demand once more.
It's an honour for any professional to play in a Ryder Cup but for an Irishman to represent on home soil for the very first time is something special. Harrington being the consummate professional won't let all the peripheral razzmatazz get in the way of his primary focus which is winning matches for the European cause.
The 34-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers on tour since he turned pro just over 10 years ago. It could be said he hasn't won nearly as much as he should have and the 27 runner-up finishes during his career is documented to an extent that it almost overshadows his achievements of 12 international wins.
Under the guidance of coach Bob Torrance, who stated he has the ability to win a major, Harrington has gone close on several occasions. To date his best effort was surely this year's US Open at Winged Foot. He like so many others – Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Colin Montgmerie – faltered down the stretch to let Geoff Ogilvy win. On reflection three closing par would have been enough for the Irishman who afterwards said he definitely “let that one get away”.
This will be Harrington's fourth appearance and he returns home with a fine record from previous encounters. In the singles his 100 per cent record remains in tact while he has formed successful partnerships along the way with Colin Montgomerie and his former World Cup (1997) winning partner Paul McGinley.
Harrington is such a reliable golfer in his own right that captain Woosnam will have no difficulty pairing him up with any of the other 11 members on the team. Just as Ireland hopes and expects, so will Harrington.
- Paul Gallagher