While the Golf World Is Neck Deep in the $3B LIV Golf-PGA Tour Merger, 51-Year-Old Padraig Harrington’s Ryder Cup Hopes Hang in the Balance

Padraig Harrington, who plays golf passionately, seems to exemplify the adage “age is just a number.” The 51-year-old Irish golfer is doing well in the ongoing Genesis Scottish Open. Now there is speculation that he might get into the Ryder Cup competition too.

However, the question here arises is: can he be one of the captain’s picks for the competition later this year? Let’s find out more about his selection chances.

Chances of Padraig Harrington’s qualification for Ryder Cup 2023

Padraig Harrington is having a great season in 2023. Till now, he has played 5 PGA tour events prior to the Scottish Open. His best performance came at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open where he lifted the trophy. He also did well at the Valero Texas Open where he ranked T10 on the leaderboard. Currently, if we talk about the Genesis Scottish Open, he is sitting in the T9 position with a total score of -7 after two rounds.

Now a big piece of news has emerged that the 3-time major championship winner is setting his eyes on the upcoming Ryder Cup competition. In conversation with Golf, Harrington revealed that he even received a call from Luke Donald (European Team Captain) in regard to the same. The Former Ryder Cup captain stated: “Luke [Donald] rang me a couple weeks ago,” Harrington said. “He was actually ringing me to say well done for my win [at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open]. And said it would be remiss to say ‘I’m not watching,” he added.

Furthermore, the 2007 Open Championship winner also confirmed that he has two more chances to prove his candidature for the Ryder Cup. The first one is the ongoing Scottish Open and the second is the Open Championship that’s going to start next week.

Also Read: ‘No Matter What’: A Hungry Rory McIlroy Resonates Confidence and Shares His Mantra to Alleviate the Staggering Trophy Drought 

There is one obstacle however that could bar the entry for Harrington and other LIV talented golfers in the Ryder Cup. Let’s find out what it is. 

Questions remain despite LIV-PGA Tour merger

 All LIV Golf players were barred from the American Tour, the Ryder Cup, and Presidents Cup events in October last year. This was according to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monohan. It is understood that some LIV golfers still can’t play this year’s Ryder Cup for sure, despite the big merger last month. 

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However, the way things have turned out in the last couple of months, there could be more changes. Who knows, the LIV golfers might get the go-ahead at the last minute. It will be interesting to see if Padraig Harrington does get a chance, miraculous though it may seem at the moment. What are your thoughts on Harrington’s entry chances? Do let us know in the comments below.