Pádraig Harrington needs a couple of big weeks in Reno and Rochester. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.iePádraig Harrington will head to “The Biggest Little City in the World” next week and hoping for a birdie bonanza that will keep his megabucks FedEx Cup challenge alive.

Padraig Harrington needs a couple of huge weeks to qualify for the European Ryder Cup team on merit.Padraig Harrington faces a race against time to win his seventh Ryder Cup cap by right and avoid the need for a second successive captain’s pick.

Graeme McDowell pitches to the par-five 16th in the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieGraeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy shot a pair of three under 67s to keep their minds on the job heading in the final two rounds of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

Padraig Harrington pumps his fist after cleaning up a poor day with an eagle worth five points in the Reno-Tahoe OpenAs Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Michael Hoey failed to get into the red at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Padraig Harrington closed with an eagle three at Montreaux Country Club to end up in the black in  the Reno-Tahoe Open.

Padraig Harrington threw the ceremonial first pitch at the local Reno Aces game on Tuesday night. You can see it on his official iPhone app but be warned, it’s hard to see. Best we can tell it was fast, but a little high and riight. If there was ever any doubt that Padraig Harrington is a sponsor’s dream, he proved it in the Biggest Little City in America last night.

The South Course at Firestone Country Club in Akron is one of Rory McIlroy’s favourite venues.Graeme McDowell is convinced that the excitement of the forthcoming Ryder Cup will help Rory McIlroy emerge from his mini slump and hit top form.