Irish pair given premium draw
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Padraig Harrington has been paired with Tiger Woods and Darren Clarke with the world No 2 Phil Mickelson in the first round of the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny tomorrow.
It is no surprise that the two home players have been given top billing in the draw for Ireland's first world championship event and what is their final warm-up tournament for next week's Ryder Cup.
Harrington's and Clarke's are two of four pairings which could be repeated in the singles at The Belfry on Sunday week. The others see the Swede Niclas Fasth play with Scott Hoch and the Spaniard Sergio Garcia with Davis Love.
Harrington had his first taste of playing with Woods at the 1999 Ryder Cup in Boston, losing on the final green of the second day foursomes with Miguel Angel Jimenez against Woods and Steve Pate.
They also played together at the US Open last year, but they were both down the field then and it was a much higher-profile meeting this June when they went out as the final pair in the third round at Bethpage.
The world No 1 Woods led all the way there and claimed his eighth major title, while Harrington dropped to eighth place.
Ten of America's side next week and seven of Europe's are in the American Express line-up. Colin Montgomerie plays with Justin Leonard, who failed to keep his place in the United States team after being their hero on the 17th green three years ago.
One of Europe's leading officials has spoken about the responsibility facing the US side at the Ryder Cup. "I think the American team have a responsibility to avoid the 'ra-ra' mentality we've seen occasionally in the past," Sandy Jones, the chief executive of the Professional Golfers' Association, said. "We don't want any repeat of the 'War on the Shore' stuff, for example, which marred the match at Kiawah Island [in 1991]."
Jones said he expects a lively atmosphere despite the 12-month postponement caused by the 11 September atrocities.
"I think once the matches get under way then the players will be drawn into the spirit of the competition," he said. "The spectators will respond to that and the atmosphere may not be so different from the past.
"I'm sure the American team will be given a cordial welcome, but, to be honest, there's no history on this side of the Atlantic of the kind of behaviour witnessed at Brookline."
Europeans, particularly Colin Montgomerie, were badly heckled in Boston three years ago and the Europe captain, Mark James, suggested a loss-of-hole penalty for future matches if any player was deemed to have incited the crowd by excessive fist-pumping or other actions. That has not been introduced for next week.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments