Padraig Harrington's quest for a place on Europe's team to defend the Ryder Cup at Valderrama next month is increasingly likely to hang on whether or not he receives an invitation to compete in the US PGA at Winged Foot next week.
With just four ranking events left, including the US PGA, Harrington is currently in 11th place (one spot outside the automatic selection) after yesterday's Scandinavian Masters where he finished sixth, behind winner Joakim Haeggman.
Although he leapfrogged over Jose-Maria Olazabal in the table, Harrington was passed out by another Spaniard Ignacio Garrido, who collected 83,320 points to jump 14,531 ahead of the Irishman.
IMG, the international management group who look after Harrington, have made requests to the US Tour to include the Dubliner in the US PGA field but, as yet, the much-awaited letter from America has not arrived. However, it is hoped that confirmation, one way or another, will be delivered today or tomorrow. With $2.4 million in prize money on offer at the US PGA, however, entry into the field would be a bonus for the inform Harrington. There is no European Tour event next week.
Nevertheless, Harrington will definitely compete in the other three remaining ranking events: the Czech Open at Prague this week, which has £800,000 in prize-money on offer, the Smurfit European Open at The K Club and, finally, the BMW International Open at Munich.
