Pod hopeful on Cup spot

Dubliner optimistic of qualifying by right for Celtic Manor clash

Last updated: 28th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pod hopeful on Cup spot

Harrington: hopeful of securing Ryder Cup place

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Padraig Harrington admits he faces a real fight to secure his place on Europe's Ryder Cup team, but insists he is playing well enough to do so without having to rely on a captain's pick.

The three-time major champion currently finds himself down in 17th place in the points list with only the top nine players guaranteed of qualification.

But things remain so tight that were he to win this week's Irish Open at Killarney - a feat he feels well capable of achieving - he would shoot up to sixth spot in the standings.

Harrington has long been regarded a stalwart of the side, but such is Europe's strength in depth nowadays he is by no means an automatic pick should he fail to qualify by right with a further four players in the world's current top 25 - Paul Casey (9), Edoardo Molinari (17), Justin Rose (18) and Henrik Stenson (23) - all in need of a wild card as things stand.

All four men have pressed their claims in recent times while Harrington's last victory came at the USPGA two years ago.

However, the 38-year-old has no doubts over his form, pointing out he has secured no fewer than 14 top-10 finishes in the past 12 months.

"I was asked the other day if I got selected would I actually pull out," he said. "The inference was 'would you pull out because you're not playing well?'

"I've had more top 10s in the last year than I've ever had in my career, so going on a guideline that most people use I've actually had the best year of my career.

Below expectations

"I haven't won and that's certainly below my expectations and everybody else's expectations, but my form has actually been solid enough.

"I just have to wait and let it happen. I do try to be very disciplined in doing my own thing and not being influenced by outside factors - but clearly that one got to me."

For the time being Harrington is focusing all his energies on the next three weeks - Ireland, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron and then the USPGA at Whistling Straits - and doing everything in his powers to ensure he does not need to rely on a captain's wildcard pick.

He can perhaps take some comfort from the thoughts of one of European captain Colin Montgomerie's vice-captains, Darren Clarke.

Clarke supportive

Clarke insisted he could not foresee a scenario in which Harrington did not make the team one way or another, although he conceded it would be Montgomerie making the final call.

"Personally I can't envisage that situation (Harrington not making the team)," the Ulsterman stated. "But I'm not the captain!

"We all know how hood a player Padraig is. It would be very difficult to see Padraig not being on that team in Wales.

"It would be good to see him play really well and qualify and give Monty the extra choice of another pick. I think we would all like to see him qualify and we hope he does."