Pádraig Harrington has expressed his delight at being selected as a European vice-captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup and says he has been impressed by the thorough approach of skipper Darren Clarke.
The 44-year-old was also a vice-captain under Paul McGinley when Europe defeated the USA Scotland two years ago and has been chosen along with Thomas Bjorn and Paul Lawrie to lead the European challenge in Hazeltine.
Harrington, who has featured in six Ryder Cups as a player, said he thoroughly enjoyed his time under McGinley and is eagerly looking forward to teaming up with Clarke.
“I’m interested to see Darren’s style,” he said. “When Darren was a player, he was very emotional. He led the team in the team room like that. I like what I see.
“He has the detail as well as emotion. Sometimes Darren gives across the image of the emotional side, but he always put the work in.
“He last two years he has pretty much been living the Ryder Cup.”
The Dubliner has amassed 10.5 points in 25 matches in the competition to date and admitted that while he harbours ambition to return in a playing capacity, he is happy with his current role.
“Strangely enough, not at all during the matches,” he replied when asked if he missed representing Europe as a player.
“You’re excited for what is happening. You’re trying to pay attention because you know you are going to have to give some information.
“Clearly everybody would like to be a captain, but very much focussing on this Ryder Cup"
“During it, it’s always about doing the best you can. There’s a lot of satisfaction in that.”
With a wealth of experience under his belt, the three-time Major winner was asked if he has ambitions to assume the top position one day.
“Clearly everybody would like to be a captain, but I'm very much focussing on this Ryder Cup.”
Bjorn will serve as an assistant for the fourth time, while Lawrie has been given the nod for the first time and Clarke hopes to name his remaining two vice-captains around the time of the Open Championship in July.
Both Clarke and his American counterpart Davis Love III are expected to name a number of tournament rookies when the teams are revealed and Harrington says this dynamic will highlight the impact a captain can have on proceedings.
“It would seem like there is a generational shift, but there is a little time to go.
“It probably means there is more dependency on how the captain to get his pairings right during the week.
“With rookies in the team, with this transitional change, the captain can make a bigger difference, good and bad.”
