Regrets, Redemption & Ryder Cups

This much I know... Padraig Harrington

- Nick Harper

Right about now, Padraig Harrington should be putting the finishing touches to his Ryder Cup Battle Plan. In a sane and normal world, every one of his waking hours would be focussed on Whistling Straits and defending the Samuel Ryder trophy won in rampant fashion by Thomas Bjorn’s European heroes three years ago. Sadly, it’s not a normal world right now and Covid-19 has now officially pushed the 43rd Ryder Cup back to September 2021. Happily, the postponement has given Padraig more time to fine-tune that Ryder Cup Battle Plan – and to reflect here on a lifetime in the game.

Rescheduling the Ryder Cup had to be done. It was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors that had to be taken into consideration, but I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time. When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National three years ago. If that atmosphere could not be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it was correct that we all wait until it can be.

An extra year has given me plenty of time to plan. At the time, September 2021 felt like a long time away, but it has come around quickly and I guarantee that the European players and I are as ready as we’ll ever be. I can’t wait.

Going back through the years, the question I’m asked most often is ‘At what age did you start playing golf?’ I was four-years-old, but I don’t really remember it too well. I spent a lot of time as a small boy on the golf course at Stackstown, County Dublin, chasing rabbits or playing golf. The whole family worked on the course there, so it was with me from an early age.