| Padraig Harrington knows he has a point to prove in the Ryder Cup Irishman says the Celtic Manor showdown could be the highlight of his year as he aims to justify his selection on the teamNaysayers, Paul Casey supporters and American Ryder Cup players, please note: Padraig Harrington, the three-times major champion and Colin Montgomerie's most controversial wild-card pick for October's match in Wales, has something to prove."In many ways I will be trying to justify my place on the team," says the Irishman, who is one of three players, along with Edoardo Molinari and Luke Donald, who will make the trip courtesy of Montgomerie's patronage rather than a result of their own efforts in qualifying for the European team. "When you get picked you are up for everything. You want to do a bit extra, feel like you have to give a bit more back. It is probably the same for Tiger Woods. In many ways the Ryder Cup could be the pinnacle of his year, like it could be for me."Woods can speak of his own appetite, or lack thereof, for a trip to Newport in early October, but there is no reason to doubt the sincerity of the Irishman's desire to contribute to the European cause this time, not least because he is honest enough to concede his contribution at the last Ryder Cup in 2008 was less than it should have been.Burned out by the effort of winning two major championships in the space of a summer, he won only half a point from a possible four in Europe's defeat at Valhalla. That performance, added to an equally poor effort in Ireland in 2006 (another half-point from five), was reason enough for some to doubt Harrington's worth to the team this time around, although the player himself, naturally enough, believes he deserved one of three wild cards."Absolutely, 100%," he says when asked if he would have picked himself. Asked to explain his certitude, and to measure his worth against that of the two players controversially overlooked by Montgomerie – Casey and Justin Rose – he demurs. "I'm comfortable with my opinion but I'm not going to say why."Harrington, golf's most loquacious man, in "no comment" shock! Still, it is easy for others to make the calculations. In a team containing six rookies, the Irishman brings the extra ballast that comes with winning three majors. He has the experience of playing on five Ryder Cup teams, and winning three times. There may be better pure golfers on both teams, but it is doubtful whether anyone is more mentally equipped to cope with the pressure of the 1st tee in Wales.And there is the Irishman's endless determination to break through the limitations placed on him by others. It has always been thus for the self-described journeyman who, by force of will and hard work, turned himself into one of the best golfers of his generation. He claims not to pay attention to the media, but there are plenty in his circle who do and they will have told him of the doubters and critics who have been out in force.He has not played well enough over the past year to merit a place on the team; he did not show enough support to the European Tour to earn a place on the team; he was not one of the best three players available to Montgomerie, while Casey (ranked No7 in the world, 15 places higher than Harrington) was. The list goes on, and the Irishman endorses at least one of the criticisms. "I made an awful mess of my schedule," he says, disarmingly. "I won't make the same mistake the next time."That is for 2012. For the moment, it is this coming Ryder Cup that has been concentrating Harrington's mind. This week he has spent time working with his swing coach Bob Torrance, next week he will head to Paris for the Vivendi Trophy hoping to fine-tune his game, and the week after that it will be time for the big show."There is a sense of expectation, a bit more pressure. But pressure usually brings a bit more focus," he says. "There is nothing like being excited and having that bit extra in the tank. I was flat during the last match but whatever happens I don't think I'm going to be flat this time." He had better not be.Padraig HarringtonRyder CupGolfLawrence Doneganguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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Scotland v Spain - live! | Euro 2012 qualifier | Scott Murray • Set your page to update automatically using the button below• Follow England v Montenegro live with Barry Glendenning• Keep up with all tonight's qualifiers on our live scoreboard• Send your emails to scott.murray@guardian.co.ukScott will be here from 7.30pm. In the meantime you can find out why the Scotland manager Craig Levein reckons the world champions might be the best side his team have ever faced by clicking here. Oh go on then, here's a snippet to whet your appetite: As if the raw talent at Vicente del Bosque's disposal was not worrying enough, Scotland must beware a Spanish squad who have arrived in Glasgow harbouring dual motivation. The World Cup winners sense they can inflict a fatal blow to the Scots' aspirations of reaching Euro 2012 – a mere four games into the qualification process – while living up to the status bestowed on them courtesy of a summer triumph in South Africa.Craig Levein believes Scotland "are probably facing the best team that we have ever played". Yet that glowing endorsement from the Scottish manager is in contrast to the relative struggles of Del Bosque's players since they gave up their historical role as pretenders by lifting the World Cup.Spain have understandably swept aside the meagre qualifying challenge of Liechtenstein and Lithuania thus far but could only draw a friendly with Mexico in August and were trounced 4-1 by Argentina a month ago. "This is something we have to get used to; every game is a special one for our opponents," said Del Bosque.Euro 2012ScotlandSpainScott Murrayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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