Golf: Harrington returns fire over Crenshaw claims

A laim by Ben Crenshaw that the 1999 European Ryder Cup team two years ago used slow play as a tactic was refuted by Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

"I would be prepared to get a bible out and say that I was never told anything," said Harrington.

In his recently completed autobiography Crenshaw hits back at various accusations made by Mark James, his opposite number as captain in Boston two years ago.

The book's publication will now ensure that the row over the behaviour of both sides in Boston will last right through to September's clash at The Belfry.

The double Masters champion, who was partnering Tiger Woods in the first round of the Players Championship in Florida, says Europe used slow play tactics "to the fullest extent".

"The pace was excruciatingly slow, to the point that we nearly didn't get finished the first night," writes the double Masters champion.

"Ask Davis (Love), ask Tom (Lehman). Many times the Europeans were the last ones to get to the next tee and they seemed to deliberate more than usual.

"Saturday afternoon Phil (Mickelson) was so frustrated at the 11th tee that he hit his drive before the Europeans Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke arrived.

"Davis and Justin (Leonard) were equally upset Friday when Davis told Colin (Montgomerie) and (Paul) Lawrie 'Look, we have to get on with these matches. You can't slow-play us forever'.

"I have a feeling the slow play was designed to throw us off our pace. Whatever the reason, it's safe to say that there was a concerted effort to slow things down.

"I find it interesting that Mark James addressed the issue in his book but accused our team of slow play. It seemed to us that just the opposite was true."

Harrington, aware that he is not the quickest player on tour, joked: "They probably didn't think I needed to go any slower.

"But nothing was ever said to me, and it would do your own game harm if you changed your normal routine."