Former Open champion denies wild rumour: "I'm very busy with what I'm doing"

Padraig Harrington has quashed rumours he is considering running for the Irish presidency, insisting he cannot run the country as he will be too busy playing golf!

There have been whispers around the Emerald Isle that the three-time major champion could be tempted to move into politics and campaign to succeed Michael D Higgins in October’s election.

His standing as one of Ireland’s most popular personalities would have made him a popular choice among voters, but Harrington has no intention of calling time on his golf career for the time being.

The 54-year-old has had huge success on the PGA Tour Champions and has won 11 events since 2022. 

He won the US Senior Open for the second time in June and clinched his third senior major in his next start at the ISPS Handa Senior Open.

The former Ryder Cup captain also still makes regular appearances on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, and he is keen to continue his career on the course and not in office.

“I’ve heard it, people have been asking me about it,” said Harrington when asked about the rumours of his political ambitions ahead of the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club.

“No. No. I'm very busy with what I'm doing. It's an incredible honour, obviously, for anybody to become the President of Ireland but it’s a very difficult job in the sense of I don't think my game would be up to it. I’d have to improve that.

“I think being a statesman is tough, not having your own opinions. As you know, I have a lot of opinions, so not having your own opinions is not great, and not being able to leave the country wouldn't be great for me either, playing 30 golf events a year.

“It’s not on my radar for sure, but it would be an incredible honour for whoever becomes president, and it's a tough act to follow. 

"We've done very well with our presidents over the last 30 years or so for sure.

“But, no, no truth in the rumour ... that’s my first denial, to confirm or deny!”