Golf:Regrets, he's got a few. After weathering the storm of criticism that followed his selection as a Ryder Cup wild card, Padraig Harrington admitted today that given the choice, he would have approached this season entirely differently.
When Colin Montgomerie chose to ignore the claims of Justin Rose and Paul Casey for next month’s match at the Celtic Manor, there was always going to be a backlash from a jingoistic English media. Harrington, whose form has been less than stellar in recent weeks, was singled out as the fall guy.
Not one to let the negative press attention knock him out of his stride – this, after all, is the golfer destined for the nearly man tag before claiming three major titles – Harrington readily concedes he’s learned harsh lessons from failing to earn an automatic spot.
"I regret my schedule big time," he said this morning. "I focused on the world rankings, assuming I was going to have a bumper year. My schedule was poor. If you want to make the team you need to play more. Next time round I'll be looking at making the top nine money winners."
Harrington, who has played in the team event on five previous occasions but picked up just ½ a point in his last two outings, said he felt obliged to give something extra to the team as a wild card choice.
"When you go in as a pick you have got more to prove and in many ways you are trying to justify it," he said. "I definitely feel under more pressure. Last time I had won a couple of majors ... and I really struggled to get back up for the Ryder Cup. It's the opposite this year. I'm hoping to be at my peak."
Harrington, who has not won any tournament since claiming the US PGA Championship two years ago, will play at the Vivendi Trophy in Paris next week in a final bid to recapture his form.
Of the American challenge, Harrington expects Tiger Woods to come out with all guns blazing to try to make amends for a mediocre season.
"The Ryder Cup could be the pinnacle of his year, like it could be for me," said the Dubliner of his fellow wild card pick. "He will be in a fighting mood for the week, in a mood to perform. At the last one in 2008 I was a bit burned out . . . but going into this one Tiger's not going to be that way and I'm not going to be that way.
"He's not coming into this Ryder Cup having achieved a lot of his goals this year and he's probably thinking, 'I want to play well to make it a successful year'."
Asked whether he would have picked Woods, Harrington replied: "Yes, 100 per cent, absolutely - he is the number one golfer in the world and he's been showing good form of late. He has a presence and intimidation factor. Matchplay will suit him.”