• Harrington ‘thought long and hard’ about becoming captain
• Europe demolished United States in France last year
The worst kept secret in golf is out, with
Padraig Harrington announced as Europe’s captain for the 2020
Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
Following Europe’s demolition of the United States in France last year, Harrington had been viewed as the only candidate to preside over a defence.
The three-times major winner, 47, will become the third player from Ireland – after Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke – to captain Europe in just four Ryder Cups.
McGinley and Clarke were part of the committee which ratified Harrington’s role, as were the immediate past captain, Thomas Bjorn, and European Tour chief executive, Keith Pelley.
The overwhelming view of those on the selection panel was that Harrington’s status within the game meant he had to be a Ryder Cup captain if he so wished; Lee Westwood, who once cast eyes towards 2020, has said he would rather lead Europe at home in 2022.
Speaking at Wentworth, Harrington said: “I’m thrilled to be named captain for 2020. This is not something I went into lightly. You could look at this as a natural progression but it isn’t something I take on without a certain amount of trepidation.
“It’s something I thought long and hard about. I felt it was the right time for me to go for it. I want to be a help to the players and to leave the Ryder Cup in the better place.”