Ryder Cup: Padraig Harrington to captain Europe in 2020
Irishman will lead Europe for the first time at Whistling Straights next year
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Your support makes all the difference.Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington has officially been confirmed as Europe’s 2020 Ryder Cup captain.
The Irishman has served as a vice-captain at the last three renditions of the biennial tournament and was unanimously selected by a panel including past captains Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke to lead Europe’s defence at Whistling Straits in 18 months time.
The 47-year-old has played in six Ryder Cups from 1999 to 2010 – winning four of them – and was the overwhelming first-choice amongst the players, with Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, Europe’s two dressing room giants, throwing their full endorsement behind Harrington after victory at Le Golf National in September.
“It is a tremendous honour to be named Ryder Cup Captain and I am relishing the next 20 months as we work towards Whistling Straits and Europe’s defence of the trophy,” Harrington said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I have played under, and been involved with, many wonderful European captains since I made my debut in the contest 20 years ago and I would like to think that my captaincy will be a mix of all of them. I am very much looking forward to taking on this role.”
Lee Westwood, Harrington’s only contemporary for the position, had publicly stated prior to today’s announcement that he would prefer to captain the team on home soil in Rome in 2022 , and will serve as a vice-captain in 2020.
Harrington has played in three US PGA Championships at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin's mammoth links course on the banks of Lake Michigan and was considered by the panel to be well-suited to captain on away soil due to his successful record and reputation in the US.
“It’s not something I went into lightly. You know, I suppose you could look at this as being a natural progression,” Harrington continued. “You move on from player to vice-captain to captain, but it’s not something that I take on without a certain amount of trepidation. I really want to be a help. I want to hopefully lead The Ryder Cup and The European Tour in a better place after two years.
“There are a lot of good reasons for me to be the captain in the US and all of them should be helpful to me and the team in terms of support.”
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