The ball in Harrington’s court, warns Olazabal

European captain, Jose Maria Olazabal insists Pádraig Harrington must show form if he is to qualify for the Ryder Cup.

Next week the leading 30 players on the European Team table will have their measurements taken by Glenmuir clothing officials for suits, shirts, trousers and rain gear. Olazabal will be on hand at the uniform and rain gear measuring session but it remains unclear if Harrington and fellow British Open champion, Darren Clarke have been asked to be present at European Tour headquarters in Wentworth.

Harrington is ranked 36th on the qualifying points table and Clarke 31st.

“The ideal situation for me would be to have all the top players in the top 12 like Lee (Westwood), Luke (Donald), Rory (McIlroy), G Mac (Graeme McDowell), Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter,” said Olazabal. “So for players like Harrington the ball is still in his court. They have to show form.”

Also missing out next week is fellow winning Ryder Cup colleagues Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson, Edoardo Molinari and Oliver Wilson.

And Olazabal has confirmed he will be choosing just two vice-captains to take with him to Medinah.

This is in contrast to Colin Montgomerie, the victorious Celtic Manor Ryder Cup captain who had six backroom room, including vice-skippers in Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn and Clarke. Monty also brought on board Olazabal and compatriot Sergio Garcia while Welshman Rhys Davies was there in an ‘ambassador’ role.

Olazabal said: “I know Davis will have four assistants. I will have two. It’s a lot of headaches if you have more than two. Far too many headaches! “Davis said to me he will be picking his assistants about 60 days from now at the beginning of July.

The likelihood Olazabal will announce McGinley and either Bjorn or Miguel Angel Jimenez to be his deputies.