Thursday, March 11, 2010
PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON is taking time out from his US Masters build-up to meet President Obama at the White House on St Patrick’s Day.
"He’s hosting a party for our Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his wife and I’m a guest," said Ireland’s three-time major champion, who the following day will be competing at the Transitions Championship in Florida.
"I’m looking forward to it – it’s something different. Obviously President Obama is one of the most charismatic people in the world, one of the most powerful people in the world.
"You want to meet these people and see what they are like and get your own judgment on things. You can tell a lot when you meet somebody.
"Plus I’ve never been to the White House.
"I won’t say it’s perfectly convenient, but I’m in the States and I can fly up and down in the same day. Very nice.
"Obviously he is very keen on golf. He’s a left-hander, isn’t he? I don’t know, maybe we will talk about golf. Who knows?
"I’ve got a week to come up with something interesting (to ask). I’m sure everything’s been asked before."
Meanwhile, defending champion Michael Bradley insists he will not be feeling any extra pressure when he attempts to defend his Puerto Rico Open title this weekend.
The American’s success 12 months ago was his first tour title for 11 years, with the 43-year-old having been bedevilled by injury problems throughout most of the intervening period.
And Bradley will just be glad if he makes the cut to play the weekend at the Trump International Golf Club.
He said: "It will be a lot of fun to defend this year. I imagine the course will be in perfect shape. I want to play well and have the opportunity to win.
"I am realistic, however, and at the end of the day I hope I have a tee time on Saturday after the cut. I realise how good the players are on tour and it is a battle each and every week."
Despite the high number of big names attending the WGC CA Championship in Miami, the field in Rio Grande still contains seven major winners, including 1991 US PGA and 1995 British Open champion John Daly and 2004 British Open champion Todd Hamilton.
South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini starts as one of the favourites after enjoying a solid start to the season, finishing second in the SBS Championship and lying 22nd in the FedEx Cup standings, but the likes of Joe Ogilvie, Jeev Milkha Singh and Alex Prugh will offer up some stiff competition.
The event comes at the end of a week that has finally seen an end to the dispute over the use of Ping’s Eye 2 irons and wedges.
The PGA were unable to outlaw the use of the clubs due to a legal loophole, stirring up a controversy that led to allegations of cheating against players who continued to use the clubs, including world number three, Phil Mickelson.
But Ping have now waived their right to the legal loophole and, from March 29, the pre-April 1990 irons will not be used on PGA Tour events.
Ping has also manufactured versions of the clubs that conform to PGA Tour rules and they are still eligible for use.
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