Ryder Cup: Padraig Harrington reveals the renewal of the European classification system | Golf News

“It’s not just reasonable, it’s actually pretty fair whatever choice I have in terms of elections.”

1:38

Padraig Harrington confirmed that he would not choose his entire team for the European Ryder Cup in September, as he explained that there would be a new qualification system.

Padraig Harrington continues preparations for the Ryder Cup in September and revealed that the qualification system for the European team is still being renewed.

Harrington admitted that he agreed with people like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, who have said that the Ryder Cup will lose a lot of appeal to players if played behind closed doors at Whistling Straits, but remains determined to “be so prepared.” as possible “for a trip to Wisconsin in the fall.

The Irishman declared that the new qualification criteria were “reasonable and fair” without going into details, although he did confirm that he would not choose the 12 players while accidentally letting out that Luke Donald would be one of his vice-captains.

Padraig Harrington will not choose his 12 players

“I’m not getting 12 picks, that’s for sure,” said Harrington, live. The golf show on Sky Sports News. “The Tour has been very reasonable. They did the numbers on it, I asked for some situations to do more numbers, and they presented it to the tournament committee to take a look.”

“It’s not just reasonable, it’s actually pretty fair, whatever choice I have in terms of picks. It’s a bit irrelevant how many picks I get, the tough choice will always be 11 and 12. Even if I had six picks, the last two they would be the most difficult and are the ones that are usually the most controversial.

“It is not a big problem in terms of how many teams I finish, because it will be reduced to two people in the end. But it is fair, and anyone who has played well will be well looked after in this system, and there will still be room for maneuver for some players who do not have played so far on the team. “

Get the best prices and book a round on one of 1,700 courses in the UK and Ireland

Harrington has been discussing statistics, logistics, and tactics with a number of key personnel on a regular basis, and let it slip that Donald would reprimand the vice-captaincy role for which he won unanimous acclaim in 2018.

“I’m trying to prepare every day like I’m going to play the Ryder Cup. It may not be a normal Ryder Cup in September, but I need to be as prepared as possible,” he said.

“I spoke to Guy Kinnings (Ryder Cup director) this week, yesterday I spoke to Luke, one of my vice captains, and today I spoke to the statistics guy because I have sat down to see how my team would look if I had to choose him now.

“I know the different models that are available depending on when we play again, so I’ll take a look at it. I’m very happy with the way the team is forming, but I would certainly like to see some way before I have to do those elections.

1:34

Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington accidentally revealed one of his vice captains live on The Golf Show!

“So I really want to play a little bit more in the United States. Obviously, if the Ryder Cup is going to go ahead, we really need to start playing on the PGA Tour in June and we have to resume on the European Tour long before the Ryder Cup to give me an idea of ​​how the players are playing. “

Harrington also reiterated that he and his team may need to “take one for the team” by playing the Ryder Cup behind closed doors if necessary, while sympathizing with players who would miss out on the opportunity to experience high-pressure sport in an incredible atmosphere.

“Neither player wants to have a Ryder Cup without the fans,” he said. “The reason we play the Ryder Cup is for glory. We have a chance to be in the middle of the stadium as a footballer. That doesn’t happen much in golf unless you are winning the tournament or you are the home favorite. .

Harrington continues preparations for a September Ryder Cup

“But in the Ryder Cup, it happens for six days. That’s what the players crave. They don’t get paid, but they crave that opportunity for glory. Clearly, no one wants to play a Ryder Cup behind closed doors.” But they watch it carefully because they know that, if the PGA Tour events in June go well without the fans, it is a possibility.

“It is an option that nobody wants to take, and the players don’t want it, but we might have to take one for the world sports team and put on an event that people can see. It wouldn’t be the same for us, obviously, but it is sport in TV what we all crave. If we watch any sport live right now, we’d all be sitting at home watching it.

“Sky is doing a great job with all the reps, but having something unpredictable in an event would be nice. You don’t realize what you’re missing.”