After the Paris success, Europe is preparing their new captain to defend the trophy at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, in 2020. Harrington seems to be in pole position to be Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain after Lee Westwood ruled himself out of becoming the next captain. Harrington previously revealed that he would love to take his chance to be a captain for his continent when the Ryder Cup heads to Rome. “I’d like to do Italy in 2022,” said the 47-year-old Irishman, as quoted by Golf Monthly earlier this year. The 2022 Ryder Cup will be held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Rome.
Harrington's candidacy for the 2020 Ryder Cup has already received the support of many parties including Justin Rose, who revealed that Harrington is the “front-runner”, and the 2018 European captain, Bjørn. “He’d be brilliant,” said Bjørn, as quoted by the Guardian “He’s got all the tools and all the knowledge.” One of Europe’s most high-profile players, Rory McIlroy, also backed the nomination.
“I’ve always thought Padraig would be a good captain in the United States,” said McIlroy. “Padraig’s won a lot of golf tournaments over there. He’s won a US PGA Championship.” Harrington, a three-time major champion, was one of Thomas Bjørn’s vice-captains as Europe beat the USA at Le Golf National. He’s also made six appearances during his career as a player.
While Paul Lawrie and Miguel Angel Jimenez are also possibilities to fill the captain’s seat it seems that the Irishman is the leading candidate to guide the team at Whistling Straits in two years. The final decision will be made in December by the Ryder Cup European selection panel which includes the past three Captains – Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke, and Paul McGinley – as well as European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley and a representative from the European Tour Players Committee.
