Harrington to skip Irish PGA in Open run-up
The Dubliner could not commit to the event in time and the championship is now likely to clash with the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup finale – the Tour Championship in Atlanta at the end of September.
Michael McCumiskey, secretary of the PGA Irish Region, said: “I don’t know what the issue is, but Pádraig couldn’t commit to the week before the Open and I had to move to other options.
“Pádraig has given us great support and what he has done for the Irish Championship is etched in history, winning six times with five of those wins in the space of the last six years.”
Harrington will play in the star-studded JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare Manor from July 5-6 but he was unable to commit to a potential staging of the Irish PGA at the Island from July 8-10.
The Island is no longer available and Irish PGA organisers are now working to secure a venue in the Dublin area from September 23-26.
Harrington won the Irish PGA for the first time in 1998 before following up with wins at St Margaret’s in 2004 and PGA National Ireland in 2005.
He skipped the event in 2006 as it clashed with the run up to the Ryder Cup at the K Club but used it as a springboard to major glory at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale in 2007 and 2008 with back to back wins at The European Club.
He completed a hat-trick of Irish PGA wins at the European Club last year but failed to make it a double-triple when he finished tied 65th in the Open at Turnberry.
His representative at IMG, Adrian Mitchell, did not immediately return calls requesting comment.
