Disappointment for Harrington and Europe in the Ryder Cup
Daire Walsh
There was disappointment for Rathfarnham’s Pádraig Harrington at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin as Europe fell to a comprehensive defeat against the USA in the Ryder Cup.
Despite the best efforts of Rory McIlroy yesterday – and the heroics of Shane Lowry on Saturday – Europe’s golfers couldn’t retain the title they had won at Le Golf National in France three years ago.
Originally set to take place in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of one of the globe’s biggest sporting events.
By leading Europe into action at the Ryder Cup, Harrington was following in the footsteps of fellow Rathfarnham native Paul McGinley.
Back in 2014, McGinley captained the Europeans at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.
McGinley enjoyed a successful reign in this pivotal role as the USA were overcome on a final score of 16½ to 11½ at the Perth & Kinross venue.
While Harrington was one of five vice-captains for that magnificent triumph, he had no such luck when he assumed the hot seat from previous incumbent Thomas Bjørn.
In truth, Europe never quite recovered from a slow start to the competition on Friday. Having lost out on a margin of 3-1 in the morning foursomes, they suffered a repeat result in the afternoon fourballs on the same day.
Lowry and McIlroy lost out agonisingly to Tony Finau and Harris English in the latter, but – operating in unison with Tyrrell Hatton – Lowry did provide Europe with some solace in Saturday’s afternoon fourballs.
After brilliantly holing from 10 feet on the 18th hole, the Offaly man secured a much-needed point for Europe.
Nonetheless, USA held an 11-5 advantage heading into the final day of competition and this left Harrington’s troops with too much of a mountain to scale.
While McIlroy overcame Xander Schauffele in the first of the singles matches on Sunday, Lowry and Jon Rahm were second best to Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler respectively.
Long before the proceedings had reached a conclusion, Colin Morikawa’s birdie with one to play against Viktor Hovland ultimately sealed the fate of Europe.