PADRAIG HARRINGTON HAS revealed he would ‘love’ to follow in Paul McGinley’s footsteps and captain the European Ryder Cup team at some stage in the future.
In a wide-ranging interview with RTE 2fm’s Game On show, the Dubliner, who was a vice-captain at Gleneagles, confirmed his interest but was quick to point out how any potential captain needs the support of the players to be afforded the eventual opportunity to lead the team:
I’d love to do it. Me being there (at Gleneagles), was questioning would I be suitable myself to do it and whether the players would think I’m suitable to do the job. I think Europe has got to the stage that, yes, it’s picked by a five-man committee, but I think the committee will know whether they have the support of the team [and] the potential players, or not. And it’s very important for any future captain to have that support.”
Harrington, like many others have been, was fulsome in his praise for McGinley, who led the Europeans to a 16.5 to 11.5 victory over the USA on Sunday.
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“You cannot believe the work he put into it. He’s pretty much given his golfing career for three years to this Ryder Cup. The work and time he’s put into that is second to none. I think he did a fantastic job and really knew his players. He called a lot of things early, at the start of the week, that he was hopefully going to do.”
The 2007 and 2008 Open Championship winner also gave his views on the rift between Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson, saying that a stand-off was always likely when both are natural leaders.
Between Tom and Phil there was always going to be an issue, who was the boss. Afterwards, it showed up that it was an issue. So having the two guys in the room just does not work. Having just Phil there, it really was an opportunity to get Phil to take on the old Monty role.”
Matt Dunham / AP/Press Association Images
Matt Dunham / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
“[Europe] have had guys, players in the team room who can lead them; [similarly], it was important that Phil Mickelson [did this].
The biggest asset the US team could have in that team room is Phil Mickelson. The players really look up to him. All the players look up to him. All the players would love to follow Phil Mickelson, that’s for sure.”
Harrington: I would love to be Ryder Cup captain in the future
PADRAIG HARRINGTON HAS revealed he would ‘love’ to follow in Paul McGinley’s footsteps and captain the European Ryder Cup team at some stage in the future.
In a wide-ranging interview with RTE 2fm’s Game On show, the Dubliner, who was a vice-captain at Gleneagles, confirmed his interest but was quick to point out how any potential captain needs the support of the players to be afforded the eventual opportunity to lead the team:
Harrington, like many others have been, was fulsome in his praise for McGinley, who led the Europeans to a 16.5 to 11.5 victory over the USA on Sunday.
“You cannot believe the work he put into it. He’s pretty much given his golfing career for three years to this Ryder Cup. The work and time he’s put into that is second to none. I think he did a fantastic job and really knew his players. He called a lot of things early, at the start of the week, that he was hopefully going to do.”
The 2007 and 2008 Open Championship winner also gave his views on the rift between Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson, saying that a stand-off was always likely when both are natural leaders.
“[Europe] have had guys, players in the team room who can lead them; [similarly], it was important that Phil Mickelson [did this].
The biggest asset the US team could have in that team room is Phil Mickelson. The players really look up to him. All the players look up to him. All the players would love to follow Phil Mickelson, that’s for sure.”
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Gleneagles Padraig Harrington Paul McGinley Phil Mickelson Ryder Cup Skipper Tom Watson