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 | | | | | | Quick Facts | | | Birthdate: 31 August 1971 | | Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland | | | Age: 31 Ht: 6ft 1in (185cm) Wt: 13st (83kg) | | | Home: Dublin | | | Country: Ireland | | | Turned Professional: 1995 (plus 2) | | | |
| Ryder Cup | | | (1) 1999 | | European Tour Victories | | |
(4) 1996 Peugeot Open de España; 2000 Brazil Sao Paulo 500 Years Open, BBVA Open Turespaña Masters Comunidad de Madrid; 2001 Volvo Masters Andalucia
| | Player Notes | |
He might have only played in one Ryder Cup to date, but Padraig Harrington has already experienced the rollercoaster of emotions only this unique event can generate, making him a valuable member of Sam Torrance's side at The De Vere Belfry.
The genial Irishman made his debut at Brookline in 1999 and sampled the thrill of victory, the tension of a halved match, and the disappointment of a defeat, leaving him more than well equipped to handle the pressure that will be evident from the moment the first ball is struck on The Brabazon Course.
In Massachusetts, Harrington was immediately thrust into the cauldron on the opening morning, partnering fellow rookie Miguel Angel Jiménez in the foursomes against the vast experience of Davis Love III and the late Payne Stewart.
A nail-biting 17 holes saw the match all square before Love boomed a drive down the final fairway. If ever there was a moment for Harrington to wilt it was then, but the Irishman responded magnificently, splitting the fairway with his own tee shot to enable Europe to gain a half point.
The following morning the Ireland-Spain combination was back in foursomes action, this time against Steve Pate and World Number One Tiger Woods. The Americans started in blistering fashion, winning the first three holes but, inspired by Harrington, Europe fought back to square the match by the 11th. However Woods holed a monster putt for eagle from the front of the 14th green for a lead the hosts held on to for the narrowest of victories.
Although the final afternoon was disappointing overall for the European cause, it proved a personal triumph for Harrington as he completed a calm and assured one hole victory over Mark O'Meara who, a little over a year earlier, had captured his second Major title in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
From that day, Harrington has continued to grow in golfing stature globally, a point proved by his world ranking which was 72nd on the eve of the 1999 Ryder Cup to his consistent position inside the World's top 15.
He also won twice during the course of the 2000 European Tour International Schedule on his way to a second consecutive seventh place on the Volvo Order of Merit, before booking his place at The De Vere Belfry with a superbly consistent run which saw him finish in the top five seven times in 11 events from February to July.
Such form has seen him draw admiring glances from many quarters including from within his own team and in particular, from seven-time Volvo Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie.
On his way to victory in the 2001 Murphy's Irish Open at Fota Island, the Scot held off the determined home challenge of Harrington and Darren Clarke, both of whom shot final round 64s.
"It is not easy playing in front of a home audience and I took a long time to win at Loch Lomond," said Montgomerie moments after holing his winning putt.
"Although they didn't win, it was a great performance, two 64s. Darren's been in the top 15 of the world for a few years now but Padraig Harrington, I believe, is the most improved golfer in the world in the past two or three years and he proved that again today."
Praise indeed and Harrington will be all out at The De Vere Belfry to prove Monty's normally astute observation on the game has been spot on once again.
Background
Will remember the 2000 season for two victories - and the one which might have been. Disqualified from the Benson and Hedges International Open while holding a five stroke lead after 54 holes for failing to sign his first round card. Ended a run of nine second place finishes since his debut win in 1996 - seven of them in 11 months between April 1999 and March 2000 - when he won the Brazil Sao Paulo 500 Years Open seven days after losing play-off to Roger Chapman in Rio de Janeiro. Added the BBVA Open Turespaña Masters Comunidad de Madrid in October. Played some of the most courageous golf of his career to qualify for the Ryder Cup, claiming the tenth and last automatic place in 1999. Finished second in the West of Ireland Classic and the BMW International in the last two counting events to achieve his ambition. Collected 1 ½ points from an excellent debut at The Country Club, Brookline, beating Mark O'Meara in the singles. Completed an accountancy degree before turning professional. Played in the winning Walker Cup side against the USA at Royal Porthcawl in 1995. Coached by Bob Torrance, father of 34th Ryder Cup captain, Sam. Believes that swing adjustments have added yards to his game. Began a strict fitness regime and insists that he is now 'fitter than ever'. One of the most consistent performers on Tour, he recorded six runners-up finishes in 2001 Volvo Order of Merit tournaments, including two events on home soil - The Murphy's Irish Open and Smurfit European Open - but somehow victory eluded him until capturing the season-ending Volvo Masters Andalucia to finish the 2001 season in second place on the Volvo Order of Merit.
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| W - L - T | Points | | 2 - 2 - 0 | 2 |
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Padraig Harrington
