Harrington: Tiger will win another Major
TULSA, OK - MAY 19: Tiger Woods hits his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the 2022 PGA Championship at the Southern Hills on May 19, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America)
Pádraig Harrington saw enough from Tiger Woods in The Match to believe the Californian will win a 16th Major title.
The Dubliner (51) tees it up with his eldest son Paddy (19) opposite reigning champion John Daly and John Daly II in the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando tomorrow.
Woods tees it up with his son Charlie (13) and while Harrington is keen to see the youngster in action again, he's equally fascinated to watch Woods in person after seeing signs in last week's charity exhibition that he can still challenge for a Major if he regains some ball speed.
"I was looking at the speed numbers, so I want to go and see it in person and see if he's got that," Harrington said.
"I think he needs a little bit of physicality, as in that ball speed. It's just tough if you go out there against the young guys, there are so many of them that are overpowering golf courses.
"If you are not somewhat able to keep up there initially— you're not doubting Tiger down the last nine holes — but the little bit of extra speed will help him be good in the first 63 holes.
"The last nine holes, who would want to be coming down the stretch against Tiger? All these young guys know he's capable of doing anything at that stage."
While it remains to be seen if Woods will be fit enough for the Masters, Harrington reckons he will be a factor again.
"I am not saying he could be; I believe he will be a danger," Harrington said. "I think he'll win another major. The way I looked at him, I genuinely think he will be in contention. Every tournament you can play, if it's like a major, he's going to have a chance."
Harrington believes interest in Woods is even greater now than it was in his heyday because so many people believe it may be their last chance to see him play live.
"I'm so disappointed that the World Cup final is on at nine o'clock on Sunday morning Eastern time,” Harrington said. "I really wanted it to be on mid-afternoon here going up against the PNC Championship because I think Tiger might win the TV ratings over the World Cup. That's the difference he's made to golf. It's bigger than it was when he was in his heyday.”
As for his own week alongside Paddy, who famously ran on the 18th green at Carnoustie in 2007 and asked if he could put ladybirds in the Claret Jug, Harrington just wants to have fun.
“I think it's our fifth time playing,” he said. “It's kind of a busman's holiday for me. It's the holidays for the whole family. So everybody comes over. We really, I think we're more relaxed about it now. I think at the start, there is an element of you want to do okay. I'm not talking about winning it, but you just want to do respectably. We know we're okay. Now we're here to enjoy it. And anything past that is a bonus.”
Harrington Jnr has just started his third-level education and he’s had a tough start to the week, having had to sit some college exams online on his arrival.
“I only had two and the harder one was probably the one I had to get up at 5 am to do because they didn't exactly give me a break on the time difference,” Paddy said with a grin.
A keen rugby player and enthusiastic amateur golfer, he’s just hoping to hit a few decent shots and make the highlight reel having struck up relationships over the years with the likes of Gary Player and Jordan Spieth.
“Honestly, this week, I have not been as nervous as in previous years,” he said. “But I feel like when we actually get to Saturday, and I stand on the first tee, I will be nervous. In previous years, if I'm hitting it not well, I'm very stressed. But I wasn't that stressed this year.“
