Golf:Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington will answer Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie's plea to play in the Wales Open next month.
Montgomerie wanted all potential members of his team to play at Celtic Manor from June 3rd-6th in preparation for the Ryder Cup at the same venue in October.
A clash of dates with Jack Nicklaus’ prestigious Memorial Tournament on the US Tour means Montgomerie will not get his wish, with the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy all set to be at Muirfield Village instead.
However, Harrington, a member of the last five European teams, today announced he will join former team-mate Luke Donald in making the trip to Wales.
“I want to make every effort to keep Colin happy,” the 38-year-old Dubliner said. “Obviously I’m trying to make sure I qualify straight out for the team.
“I want to be part of that team and being part of that team means throughout the year you’ve got to make your effort and gel with your team-mates. I quite like the course at Celtic Manor, it’s an interesting course and it’s a golf course I think I can do well on.
“I didn’t have a good run the last time I played it (missing the cut two years ago) but I wouldn’t mind having another crack at that one.”
Harrington currently occupies one of the nine automatic qualifying places, with Montgomerie adding three captain’s picks after the Johnnie Walker Championship on August 29th.