Former Ryder Cup skipper Padraig Harrington makes interesting LIV Golf claim

Padraig Harrington insists the U.S. Ryder Cup side was most affected by LIV Golf after claiming Europe are 'back on top of the world'. 

Two years ago Harrington led the European side at Whistling Straits and watched on in dismay as Steve Stricker's young team swaggered to a 19-9 victory. 

Harrington, speaking on RTE's Game On, suggested Europe were coming off a peak when he held the position of captain but now things have changed. 

"I think we're in a really good place going into this Ryder Cup," he said, adding:

Europe will be without their stalwarts Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood in a few weeks' time. 

Westwood immediately questioned some of Zach Johnson's captain's picks. 

Now Luke Donald will lean heavily on the experience of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. 

He'll also be hoping Tyrrell Hatton, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry fill the void left by Europe's old guard. 

 

 

 

 

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Only one LIV Golf player will be involved in the 44th Ryder Cup and that is of course Brooks Koepka. 

There were suggestions that Bryson DeChambeau could've got the nod given his historic 58 at The Greenbrier. 

Even Talor Gooch thought he was in with a shout and Patrick Reed has demonstrated in years past he is someone who can perform in the high-pressured environment. 

Dustin Johnson went 5-0-0 at Whistling Straits but it appeared LIV 'rebels' were never truly on Johnson's radar. 

Harrington continued:

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How many matches do you think you Shane Lowry will play at the Ryder Cup?

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) September 4, 2023

Harrington also offered some thoughts on the exclusion of Poland's Adrian Meronk. 

Despite three wins - one of which came at the Italian Open - Meronk didn't get the nod from Donald. 

Harrington said: 

Read more:

• Tour pro calls for change to Ryder Cup qualifying: "Nicely sums up the problem"
• "Shane Lowry picked for experience not good golf" says DP World Tour pro
• WATCH: The moment Luke Donald tells Ludvig Aberg he's in the Ryder Cup team
• Adrian Meronk has two words for Luke Donald after being SNUBBED Ryder Cup pick

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