Harrington: Too Many Ryder Cup Picks Can Cause Problems
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2021-01-25
By DOUG FERGUSON, Associated Press
HONOLULU, Hawaii — The start of the European Tour season in Abu Dhabi is a resumption of the Ryder Cup points race, and European captain Padraig Harrington made it clear he is looking for players in form for the September matches.
Europe changed its points system because the tour was shut down for four months by the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The new model multiplies points by 1.5 from Abu Dhabi through May 9, and then points are doubled until qualifying ends at the BMW PGA Championship on Sept. 12.
The leading four players from the European Tour points, then the leading five players from the world ranking points, automatically are on the team.
That leaves Harrington with three captain’s picks, compared with six wild-card picks for U.S. captain Steve Stricker.
In an interview with RTE Radio in Ireland, Harrington said he sees that as an advantage.
“I chose three. I wanted three,” Harrington said. “You’ve got to understand, picks only complicate it. You want situations where you’ve got guys who qualify, and then a limited number of picks to strengthen the team you have. You can cause dissension in the team if somebody doesn’t get picked that the rest of the team thinks they should have been picked. When there’s so many options, you’re going to disappoint a lot of people.”
Both teams each had two picks from 1995 through 2006. That changed when U.S. captain Paul Azinger wanted four picks for his “pod” system in 2008. Tom Watson went to three picks in 2014, and then it was restored to four picks. Europe has never had more than three captain’s picks.
“The less picks you have ... you have less doubt in your mind about the picks, and it brings less doubt to the team,” Harrington said. “It brings more confidence to the guys who automatically qualify. I can tell you, getting a pick and having people second-guess why you got that pick brings enormous pressure to the player during the event. Whereas, qualifying by right, you deserve to be there. And we will build a team around guys who qualify.”
If that’s the case, Stricker could have his hands full deciding on his six picks. The Americans have a wealth of talent going into the year of the Sept. 24-26 matches at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Currently, 12 of the top 16 players in the world ranking are American.
The U.S. is sure to be favored again. Europe has captured the cup nine of the last 12 times.
“The reality of the situation is they’re incredibly strong,” Harrington said. “But Europe will work a way to get the best out of its team.”