Padraig’s Long Drive
Paddy Morgan sits down with three-time major champion Padraig Harrington to chat about his reflections as European Ryder Cup Captain at Whistling Straits in 2021 and his rise on the Champions Tour in 2022
The Dubliner was announced as 2020 urope Ryder Cup Captain in 2019 but didn’t eventually go ahead until September 2021 due to the covid-19 pandemic “I would describe it as the same amount of work as a nice hobby and something that you are in to.” Harrington enjoyed the role as captain and revealed “Their is a substantial amount of work but it was probably the right amount.” He was the first Dubliner to captain Europe since Paul McGinley in 2014 “It took up time but didn’t take over your life as it was a good obsession.” It is difficult to focus on your own game while been Ryder Cup captain as you are either watching or playing with possible players that will be trying to make your team.
Harrington reflects on the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits “NO not at all as it was a disappointing score.” The three-time major champion went with experience by picking The Postman and Sergio Garcia as wildcard picks but were outclassed “the USA played well and they prepared very well as they seemed to catch us on a bit of a downer.” It did not help Harrington that current world number one Rory McIlroy was out of form when the 2021 Ryder Cup took place.
Harrington has been incredible in 2022 by playing on DP World Tour, PGA Tour and PGA Champions Tour “That is what I have done all my life by travelling around the world whether it has been Europe, Asia or USA.” The Dubliner gets over jetlag in a positive way as he sets a jampacked day “I never have a problem travelling West and I like getting up early in the morning by feeling good.” He has a good day and “been tired at night is a good thing.” Harrington is speaking from experience when it comes to jumping off a plane “I felt keeping myself busy the first day is the best thing and the reason why I know that sometimes we can fly into Asia by playing a quick Pro-Am.” Relaxing in between rounds is a good way of resetting “I’m sure there is physical issues and there is recovery techniques that they talk about.” He has a good handle on keeping fresh regardless of what competition that he plays in “only lethargic in off time and never lethargic in work time will always work.” As an International Blind Golfer myself this is fantastic advice for future tournaments.
Harrington also said that his four wins on the Champions Tour U.S. Seniors Open, Ascension Charity Classic, DICKS Sporting Goods Open and Charles Schwab Cup Championship were all well-earned wins “Well you could say that I’m playing well and I was playing well coming into the season.” Making plenty of birdies is essential on the Champions Tour as it’s “Very quick with only three rounds of tournament play.” The Dubliner is only getting started when it comes to competing on the Champions Tour “I’m The young guy out there and I have a big advantage.” The three-time major champion shot two consecutive rounds of 66 and held on with a final round of 72 to win the 2022 U.S. Seniors Open at Saucon Valley Country Club “It was nice when I got my first win especially with it been a major and this got me off and running.” Harrington gained a lot of momentum after this win and this helped him win multiple events in 2022.
His average driving statistics on the Champions Tour is 308 yards but is not putting it down to faster swing speed “Oh no not at all and my speed has been improving on the golf course over the years.” Saucon Valley wasn’t the only seniors major that Harrington performed brillantly as he finished second in both The Seniors Open and Regions Tradition “It showed up quite a bit on the Champions Tour as I have driven the ball well with just been in contention more often.” He also puts his great form down to an improved short game as “I have been putting better than other years.” Straight hitting off the tee and solid on the greens is a great combination.
Harrington shot an unbelievable four rounds of 27 under to make history by winning the final event of 2022 Champions Tour “I wasn’t even aware of it as I know that I tied Jack Nicklaus record for the lowest score but that is just a coincidence.” He reflects on a big year by revealing his three biggest highlights of 2022 “The important ones for me winning the U.S. Seniors Open would be my biggest highlight of 2022, second to that would be my three wins and my third one is shooting the course record at Adare.” 2022 was a breakthrough year for the Irishman on the Champions Tour.
He feels that it is still possible to compete on the main tour “I want to see how my game stacks up against the young guys and I’m old enough now to go down as the oldest winner if I win on the DP World Tour.” Harrington will have a busy schedule in 2023“I will be playing three majors, I will be participating in four Champions Tour majors and their is a lot of golf for me to play in 2023.” It was a pleasure to sit down with Harrington and wish him all the best for another successful year on the golf course in 2023.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oZrI6eWLYVlmS6QapiAGo?si=plcwqAUhQGuAA1ZFZRElAw&utm_source=copy-link
https://www.buzz.ie/sport/padraig-harrington-young-guns-tour-28643540.amp