Padraig Harrington weary of a motivated Tiger Woods
Published:Padriag Harrington believes the European Ryder Cup team should be aware of a motivated Tiger Woods when he takes to the Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten course on October 1st.
Tiger has struggled this year with his well documented off course problems and after missing out on making the final PGA Tour event of the season.
Harrington believes that the two weeks that Woods will have out of the game will just motivate him to steer the USA Ryder Cup team to its first win on European soil since winning at The Belfry in 1993 – the USA are 13/8 to win the Ryder Cup.
“He’ll be in fighting mood, in a mood to perform,” said the Irishman, “the Ryder Cup could be the pinnacle of his year, like it could be for me.”
Harrington only just made the European Team as one of captain Colin Montgomerie’s wildcard picks, a decision which has been questioned in some quarters as Harrington has been in poor form all year.
But Harrington believes USA captain Corey Pavin has got his choices spot-on with the inclusion of the world number one.
“He has a presence and intimidation factor,” said Harrington, “I think he’s going to be strong enough to stand up on the tee box against anybody.
“Certainly no bookmaker will make him a longshot in his singles match.”
Woods is currently 4/1 to be the USA’s leading points scorer whilst Harrington, who has a poor record in the Ryder Cup, is 12/1 to be Europe’s leading points scorer.
Europe are 8/13 favourites to win the Ryder Cup on home soil. See the full Ryder Cup golf betting market here.
