NEWS
Woods will be in 'fighting mood' at Ryder Cup, says wary Harrington
By Associated Press
Published on
Padraig Harrington is refusing to underestimate Tiger Woods heading into next monthâs Ryder Cup, insisting that the American retains an âintimidation factorâ despite his lack of success this year.
The No. 1-ranked Woods only made it onto the United States team after receiving a wild card from Captain Corey Pavin and has not won a tournament this year.
âIn many ways the Ryder Cup could be the pinnacle of his year,â Harrington said Friday. âDefinitely heâll be in a fighting mood for the week -- a mood to perform.â
Woods has been on the winning side only once at a Ryder Cup, in 1999, and has earned just 11 points from a possible 25 in five appearances. The 14-time major winner missed the U.S. victory over Europe in Valhalla in 2008 with a knee injury.
âHeâs coming into this Ryder Cup not having succeeded and achieved a lot of his goals this year,â Harrington said. âHeâs coming in thinking, âI want to play well in this Ryder Cup to make me have a successful year.â
âHe is the No.1 golfer in the world still by rankings,â Harrington added. âHe has a presence -- an intimidation factor.â
Harrington also had to rely on a captainâs pick to make the Oct. 1-3 match at Celtic Manor, Wales. Europe Captain Colin Montgomerie said he could not go into the match without the three-time major champion, and said the experienced Harrington was someone âwe feel that nobody in match-play golf wants to play.â
Others regard Harrington as a controversial pick who was fortunate to have been given the nod ahead of No. 7-ranked Paul Casey, having only won half a point from a possible four in 2008. He had the same total in 2006 from five matches.
âWhen you get picked, you are under the spotlight more,â said Harrington, who is without a tour win in more than two years. âYou have something to prove, in many ways youâre trying to justify it.
âThereâs definitely more pressure, but pressure brings a bit more adrenaline, more nerves, more focus. Iâm trying to hold myself back and Iâm excited about getting into it.â