‘I’m Prepared’: After a Stellar Performance, 3X Major Champion Makes An Honest Confession About His Ryder Cup Hopes

The golfing community is full of surprises. Be it Rose Zhang going pro after receiving an exemption from KPMG, the induction of amateur golfer Aldrich Potgieter into pro golf and breaking Bryson DeChambeau’s record, or Tiger Woods announcing a tentative intention to return to Pro golf.

Now, 51-year-old golfer Padraig Harrington, is not only playing the Genesis Scottish Open and preparing for the Open Championship next week, but he has larger aspirations. He means to change history on the PGA Tour circuit before he is officially a senior golfer.

Can Padraig Harrington play at the Ryder Cup in September?

It is not exactly unusual for golfers to be exempted into prestigious events to prove their mettle. However, this has historically been the case, for the most part, to introduce rookies into the professional circuit and offer them a chance at a bigger title. However, Irish golfer, Padraig Harrington intends to do it the other way around as per a tweet by bunkered.

The three-time Major Championship winner has always had a taste for the uncanny. He loves to challenge himself, and that’s precisely his plans for after the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. Harrington, who finished round 2 of the Genesis Scottish Open with a total of 133, wants to continue playing on the PGA Tour and European Tour for just a little while longer.

He shared, “I’m in a nice place, I’ll see how I play over the next two weeks then have a chat with Luke [Donald] and if necessary I’ll change my schedule and come back and play a few in Europe.”

Luke Donald, who is going to issue six wildcard entries into Ryder Cup already has eight players in his sights, including Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, and others. However, an experienced captain such as Padraig Harrington could make the gameplay more interesting between the American and European players.

Also Read: ‘Played Really Nicely’: Hours After His Latest Win, 3X Major Winner Opens Up About His Insane Performance

“My intention was to go play some Champions Tour events but if I’m genuinely in contention then I’m prepared to make the effort and change my schedule and come back and prove it,” Harrington added, demonstrating his will to play the Ryder Cup but only if he is seriously offered the chance. He has enjoyed himself immensely on the European Tour so far, so why wouldn’t he want to continue, right?

The Ryder Cup is undoubtedly one of the challenging events and he is willing to alter his schedule on the PGA Tour Champions, which is saying something given his enthusiasm before his 50th birthday.

Will Harrington still play on the PGA Tour Champions?

The Irishman who has won 5 games on the PGA Tour Champions arena is currently also partaking in the European Tour’s Genesis Scottish Open. Following this week’s tournament, he will play at the Open Championship scheduled for the 20th of July, 2023. After that, he was meant to return to the States for the PGA Tour Champions events, probably for the Rolex Senior Open Championship, but he didn’t say.

Harrington, who was looking forward to joining the PGA Tour Champions has been in an incredible stance since his induction. “I’ve been playing better, getting better, and doing things better. The Champions Tour has got me focused better and I’ve started putting better,” he admitted. But now, he wants to alter the course of history, in a good way, by contending for Ryder Cup Captain. His history with the event has been positive in the past and he intends to see it one more time as the oldest golfer on the circuit.

What do you think of Harrington’s performance in the PGA Tour Champions? Do you think he’ll make it into Ryder Cup 2023? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments below.

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