But his playmate during the final round on Kiawah Island, Open champion Shane Lowry, certainly boosted his prospects for joining the European team that will defend the trophy at Whistling Straits in September.
Matching rounds of 69 brought Harrington and Lowry to a tie for fourth behind Phil Mickelson, who jumped from 52 to 16 in the US Ryder Cup standings after notably claiming a sixth major title.
Harrington acknowledged that he is much more competitive on a windy golf course and that Whistling Straits and Kiawah Island call for a “very similar” style of play, but he does not intend to put that to the test.
“I am past that time,” said the 49-year-old. “I’m too in the tooth right now at this stage, sweating for five rounds of golf and all that that goes with it.
“I am very dedicated to being the captain. I let other people have their time. I had mine. And you can’t do both. No one is going to be a Ryder Cup captain and player at the same time.
“It’s a full-time job being the captain of the Ryder Cup. There’s no question about it.”
Lowry is out of the automatic qualifying spots and made the most of his opportunity to impress Harrington, though the two are good friends and frequent companions in practice rounds.
“Shane, as we know, is a great player and he likes to play great golf courses on the big occasion,” added Harrington. “There is a quality to him; He wouldn’t stand on a tee and fear anyone.
“There are nine guys there, but if you want to get a pick, you have to impress because it seems like I have a lot of players in the race.”
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-05-24 21:59:16
