Harrington’s Ryder hopes hang by thread

Pádraig Harrington will tune into the Golf Channel in the US today praying that Jose Maria Olazabal shocks everyone by naming him as one of his two Ryder Cup wildcards.

But while a closing birdie gave him a final round 68 and a top 20 finish in The Barclays, eight shots behind winner Nick Watney, the 40 year-old Dubliner knows in his heart of hearts that he was a dead man walking in New York last night, having signed his Ryder Cup death warrant by following that brilliant opening 64 with a brace of 75s.

“It will be easier to talk about it after tomorrow,” Harrington said ominously. “I don’t want to give an opinion on not making it or anything like that until it officially happens. I’ve played six, I’ve won four out of six, I’d dearly love to be there.”