Harrington named as Ryder Cup vice-captain

Harrington named as Ryder Cup vice-captainImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Padraig Harrington, 54, played at the US PGA Championship, the US Open and the The Open Championship this summerByJoe BradshawBBC Sport senior journalistPublished2 minutes agoThree-time major champion Padraig Harrington has been named as one of Luke Donald's vice-captains for the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, in the Republic of Ireland, in 2027.The 54-year-old Dubliner joins the Molinari brothers Edoardo and Francesco in Team Europe's backroom team as they bid for a third consecutive victory over USA.Harrington played in six Ryder Cups for Team Europe and was a vice-captain on three occasions before captaining the side for the unsuccessful 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits."I honestly didn't think I'd ever wear the European Ryder Cup logo again, so I'm very happy to be part of it," Harrington said."Representing Europe has always been one of the highlights of my golfing career and to be able to do it again in this situation, especially in Ireland, is special."Donald named Europe captain for third timePublished4 MarchHaving led Europe to a comfortable win at Rome's Marco Simone Golf Club in 2023, captain Donald stayed in post to guide them to a stunning victory on US soil at Bethpage Black, in New York, in 2025.At Adare Manor, he could become the first captain to win three in a row and will be only the fourth captain to lead at three straight Ryder Cups after Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Bernard Gallacher.He says Harrington will form a key part of his backroom staff in his quest to make history."I've been around Padraig in many Ryder Cup team rooms, as a player, as a vice captain to his captaincy, and he's been a vice captain before as well," Donald said. "So he brings a wealth of experience."I do love the fact that there's a connection. He understands the Irish crowds and all that goes with having a Ryder Cu...