Sparks set to fly at Vilamoura showdown
Bjorn launched an astonishing attack on Harrington after the Irishman disagreed with plans by the European Tour to tighten up membership rules in 2010. The most contentious proposal is that all members would have to play in five specified tournaments, something which didn’t sit well with Harrington, who is also a member of the US Tour and nowadays spends a large part of his season over there.
Bjorn in turn was enraged when informed that Harrington was quoted as “not believing in protectionism” and wondered aloud “if this may be a case for the European Union”.
It was then that the Dane launched a withering attack, which was all the more surprising because the pair joined the European Tour at the same time in the mid-90s, they are both 38, are former Ryder Cup teammates and appeared to be good friends in all that time. Bjorn could have kept his powder dry until the committee met in Vilamoura this week but he was so riled that he couldn’t wait to get it off his chest. And in doing so, he himself was guilty of one of the most serious charges he was about to level against Harrington.
“He always uses the press”, he told the, er, press. “He never comes to people on the committee and never will. He seems to think that he is above it all. We have discussions, he gets word of it and then he uses the press to slam the Tour. I don’t want to have a war of words with him, but we are a committee of 15 – and that includes people like Monty, Clarky, Stenson, Karlsson, Jimenez and McGinley.
“They have all been out here a long time, so whose opinion are we going to give more weight to? There’s a lot of experience on that committee. He may have won three majors, but Monty has won eight Order of Merits and knows all there is to know about the Tour. Pádraig would need to play only one more event here if this proposal goes through. That’s not asking a lot – and for him to threaten going to the European Union is out of order.”
Harrington isn’t falling into a trap. If he were to react through the press, the Dane’s point would be well made. But you can rest assured that he will have plenty to say when they come face to face. The spat certainly adds a degree of spice to what sounds like a great week of golf in one of the game’s finest locations. Harrington, a property ambassador for the Oceânico Group and currently seventh in the world rankings, is among the favourites for the €3m event.
“I have always enjoyed my time there and have a close relationship with the team at Oceânico. It is one of those destinations where we are guaranteed great weather and are always presented with a great golf course in perfect condition.”
Also teeing up at Vilamoura is Rory McIlroy, now leading the Tour’s Race to Dubai with a massive total of €2,008,567, only €26,512 ahead of closest rival Martin Kaymer. But the German and third-placed Paul Casey are ruled out by injury and so the 20 year-old Ulster man has a golden opportunity to stretch his advantage.
Lee Westwood (€1,741,940) is in fourth and is in the Portuguese field along with almost all of Europe’s finest. The Irish are there in force as well with Harrington (21st , €868,662) and McIlroy among the big hopes and already assured of their place in the Race to Dubai. Hoping to remove all further doubt about their place in the top 60 are Graeme McDowell (37th, €668,972); Peter Lawrie (47th, €551,429); 48th, Gareth Maybin (€549,577 and Damien McGrane (50th, €531,782).
There are five more counting tournaments before the Dubai field is finalised and at present Darren Clarke, 66th with €437,859 (just over €47,000 behind the man in 60th place, Paraguayan Fabricio Zanotti) is best positioned to join that sextet. Michael Hoey, 82nd, €341,327 and Paul McGinley, 107th, 273,483) are hoping for a late season surge that would shoot them into the top 60.
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