Harrington battles to overcome injuries ahead of Ryder Cup

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON will today discover how well he has recovered from the injuries which put his Ryder Cup participation in doubt.

Harrington tackles the German Masters as he returns to competition having suffered from a neck problem, as well as an ankle injury which worsened after he turned it at the Dutch Open in late July.

The Dubliner had a scan on the ankle that showed only inflamed ligaments and he is more optimistic after working over the weekend with his coach Bob Torrance, father of Ryder Cup captain Sam.

“What I am concerned about most is getting in shape for the Ryder Cup,” said Harrington.“When I saw Bob (Torrance) at the weekend, he said straight away my swing problems, that had been affecting me, were definitely a result of my neck and ankle injuries.

“I was way out of alignment. That problem takes time to solve, especially the neck injury which disturbs the whole perception of your focus, but I’m working hard to regain that perception.”

Meanwhile, Bernhard Langer is considering applying to become European Ryder Cup captain in 2004, a move that could bring him into competition with Nick Faldo.

Six-time major winner Faldo has already made it clear he would like to follow in Sam Torrance’s footsteps for the contest at Oakland Hills in two years time.

His former team-mate Langer, aged 45, who defends his Linde German Masters title this week ahead of his 10th Ryder Cup appearance at The Belfry, said: “If I am ready for it I will put my name forward because I believe as a player my time is gradually coming to an end. It will be very, very difficult to make the team at that age and therefore I have to think about my family and my golf.

“There’s lots of things to consider and I will make that decision in the next five or six months. I know Nick wants to do it and he has every right to put his name forward.”

For now Langer will concentrate on chasing his 12th tour title on home soil, where he held off a late charge by John Daly to win by one shot last year.

But with the postponed contest just a fortnight away, the focus of the nine European team members competing this week is undoubtedly shifting towards The Belfry and the attempt to regain the trophy lost three years ago at Brookline.