Padraig Harrington, much to his relief, has two more rounds to try to get his game in shape for the Ryder Cup.

FOR many golf fans in the United States, the first image of Pádraig Harrington was delivered in an excruciatingly methodical way.

Retief Goosen was left wishing he had changed putters a week ago after he rolled in eight birdies to take the first-round lead at the BMW International Open in Munich today.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON well remembers the 2002 US Open and the raucous atmosphere circulating around Bethpage Black as America’s national championship reached out to the masses on a public course for the first time in its history.

A week that began badly for Thomas Bjorn ended no better today when he withdrew from the final round of the European Open at The London Club.

After being dubbed “The Beast of Brookline” for his behaviour at the 1999 Ryder Cup there must have been a time when Tom Lehman wondered what sort of reception he would receive in Europe. But not any more.

Former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin, whose last trip to San Roque was to save his European tour career five months ago, burst into the joint lead when the Spanish Open resumed today.

Austrian Markus Brier and Swede Peter Hedblom made early moves through the field in the third round of the Mallorca Classic.

What looked on paper an unfair fight – world number six against a player ranked 433rd – turned out to be anything but in the Swiss sunshine today.

Colin Montgomerie, heckled in America in the past, has now become a fan of the fans.

Three members of Europe’s 1999 Ryder Cup team will contest the Madeira Island Open this week, all looking to kick-start their careers at Santo da Serra.

WHAT a week that was for Paul Casey. He alienated himself from all things American with an amazing attack on the country and its citizens and followed up with pointed criticism of their new Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman.

ONLY Europeans with selective amnesia fail to remember the final day of the 1999 Ryder Cup when the Americans’ incredible momentum played Europe off the Country Club course at Brookline.

Colin Montgomerie felt he was “in danger of becoming competitive again” after the first round of the Celtic Manor Wales Open.

TIGER WOODS yesterday reminded golf spectators the world over that heckling has no place in the sport.

Tiger Woods today reminded golf spectators the world over that heckling has no place in the sport.

IT’S all in the perception, really.

Charlie Mulqueen on Golf

Padraig Harrington has it in his power this weekend to ensure that Europe’s record of always having at least one player in the world’s top 10 is maintained.

THE younger generation may have gained the impression that the misbehaviour which marred the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline was the first sign of trouble in a competition launched by wealthy British seed merchant Samuel Ryder back in 1927 to foster good relations between the people of the United States and Britain.

Padraig Harrington has been paired with Tiger Woods in the first round of the American Express World Championship.

SLOWLY but surely, the Americans are beginning to realise if they continue to sell beer in large quantities at their golf tournaments and then allow it to be carried all over the course that they are headed for serious trouble.

Gary Player's absence through injury has robbed the British Open championship final qualifying competition of a touch of romance over the weekend.

Ireland and Great Britain were level 2-2 with holders Continent of Europe after the opening greensomes of the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen in Co Wicklow today.

Colin Montgomerie claims he will not play in America after the end of this season.

Jose Maria Olazabal’s mind is bound to go back to the 1999 Ryder Cup when the Accenture World Match Play Championship begins in California tomorrow.

Colin Montgomerie asks only one thing of the Open at Lytham in a fortnight. He wants to do himself justice.

Robert Karlsson, who has tried various weird and wonderful things to try to become a better golfer, took a simple approach into the second round of the Victor Chandler British Masters at Woburn today. Treat it as fun.

Mark James could find himself in trouble on his return to golf after criticising the Ryder Cup committee.