Harrington in no mood to celebrate

Padraig Harrington plays for Ireland in golf’s World Cup this week, desperately hoping to avoid the controversy which has stopped him celebrating his latest victory.

Harrington was part of the Britain and Ireland team which beat Continental Europe 15-13 at El Saler – in fact, he was the one who guaranteed they kept the Seve Trophy.

But celebrations were not on his mind as he headed out of Spain before flying to Kiawah Island in South Carolina, where he and Paul McGinley will be back together six years on from their World Cup triumph on the same course.

The reason for that was a dispute with Jose Maria Olazabal in what proved to be the decisive singles.

The two highly-respected and hugely popular professionals, Ryder Cup team-mates in 1999, were on the third green when Olazabal pointed to what he thought were pitch marks.

He was allowed to repair them if they were. But Rule 16-1c states that while a player “may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball”, it also says he cannot touch “any other damage if it might assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole”.

Harrington had his doubts and thought a referee was needed. But as he turned to look for the official following their game, Olazabal started his repair work - and when Harrington spoke to him the Spanish star conceded the hole.

There was a stony silence between the two as the match progressed. But after Harrington birdied the last for a half, the pair spent 15 minutes talking beside the green and at the end of it still appeared to be at loggerheads.

The Dubliner then said: “It is not worth losing a friend over, but we had 15 very awkward holes after that – big time.

“I was not trying to question his integrity. But that is what he thought, and I can 100% see his side. I certainly won’t be celebrating, and it is not the way I would have liked to get a half point.

“My reaction put Jose in a very difficult position, and he did the honourable thing in his eyes and conceded the hole – not that I wanted him to.

“I was happy to take a half there, but he was put in an awkward situation and did all that he thought he could.”

Olazabal said: “I don’t want to spend any time talking about it. We had a difference of opinion, and I am not going to waste any more time talking about it.”

It was not the only rules query on the day.

When Thomas Bjorn pulled out just before his singles against Paul Casey because of a neck injury – which threatens his participation in the World Cup - captains Colin Montgomerie and Seve Ballesteros were consulted over what to do.

As in the Ryder Cup, an envelope system exists whereby injured players can be awarded a half with a player of the opposing captain’s choosing. But that has to happen at least 30 minutes before the start of a session, and in this instance games were already on the course.

Montgomerie and Ballesteros were themselves on the fifth and were interrupted and asked their opinion without being told which player was involved. They agreed that Bjorn had to concede.

Ballesteros said later: “Maybe half a point each is more fair. To win a point without playing a match is something we have to think about. I think Colin and I will have to sit down – maybe we have to change the captain’s agreement.”

Montgomerie, however, commented: “There is nothing really to sit down and discuss, to be honest. It is unfortunate, but that is the way it is. I would have accepted it either way.”

If Bjorn had played and won the two teams would have been tied – and there would have been a greensomes play-off. Instead Britain and Ireland always had the edge after going into the singles 10-8 up.

The Dane’s main concern, obviously, was his health. He has a history of neck and shoulder troubles.

“When I came down to the practice ground I felt fine and at the point where I could have pulled out for a half I still felt fine,” he said.

“But then it got worse and worse, and I know this injury well.

“It won’t improve quickly. It could take two days but it could also take two weeks. I will see the people I normally see in London.”

Montgomerie must have feared a hat-trick of defeats to the man ranked 1,231st in the world when he stood two down after seven, and he admitted: “I suspect my team were having a very good laugh.”

But Ballesteros then played the next seven holes in six over par, losing them all and going down five and four.

“I have not slept since last April thinking about this match,” joked Montgomerie. "I would have got a lot of stick if I had lost again.”

Darren Clarke’s stand-in David Howell and Justin Rose also won before Harrington and Ian Poulter added halves.

Britain and Ireland earned £107,000 (€155,000) each and Continental Europe €73,000 per man.