Jose Maria Olazabal has flatly refuted claims that an old feud with Padraig Harrington could influence his Ryder Cup wildcard picks.
Spaniard insists old feud will have no bearing on wildcard picks
European captain Jose Maria Olazabal has flatly denied suggestions that an old feud with Padraig Harrington could influence him when coming to decide his Ryder Cup wildcard picks.
Having failed to qualify by right for Olazabal's team, Harrington's only chance of earning a seventh cap for Europe is by securing one of the two captain's picks.
With Ian Poulter widely expected to be handed one of those slots, Harrington -depending on the result of this week's Johnnie Walker Championship - will be doing battle with the likes of Nicolas Colsaerts and Martin Kaymer for the final spot on the team.
However, there has been speculation that an incident in the 2003 Seve Trophy, when Olazabal and Harrington fell out after the latter called for a referee to intervene during their singles match, could work against the Dubliner.
Interest in the matter intensified on Thursday when Olazabal said that Harrington would require "at least a win" at The Barclays this week to force his way into contention for a wildcard.
Need to deliver
But, speaking on Friday, Olazabal curtly dismissed claims that personal differences could affect his decision when quizzed on the matter again.
Asked whether Harrington was in his thoughts for a pick, he told
Sky Sports: "Well he's as close as some other players, not closer than other players - simple as that.
"If you look at the list he's well back there isn't he. Sergio (Garcia) needed a win, or to make the top three last week to make the team, he's not any different to Sergio is he? So I don't know what it's all about.
"He's an experienced player obviously, but at the moment he's not been able to deliver, period. Simple as that."
When pressed about their falling out, he added: "If people believe that that is interfering with my judgement well, first of all they're completely wrong, and if it was the case I would be failing as a captain.
"So that is a load of BS just to put it gently."
