Padraig Harrington determined to make Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup team

Padraig Harrington continued his impressive run of form in the second round of the Scottish Open with a 66 and then told Sky Sports Golf he is prepared to change his schedule in order to collect one of Luke Donald's six captain's picks in his European Ryder Cup side this September.

Harrington, 51, has played in six European Ryder Cup teams (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010) down the years and he then captained a losing side when the United States ran out a record victory in 2021. 

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After moving into the top five following the completion of his second round at the Scottish Open, the Irishman had a glint in his eye when quizzed by Sky's Tim Barter as to whether he could indeed make a seventh European Ryder Cup team in Rome. 

"We'll see more after these couple of weeks, this is the best I've played these two rounds tee to green for a long time," said Harrington, who is the last player to successfully defend The Open back in 2008. 

"I've been playing better, I'm getting better, doing things better, and the Champions Tour has got me focused better, and I've started putting better. 

"With an eye on next week, I'll be trying to get my head in the right place ahead of next Thursday and I've seemingly done that a week early. 

"I'm in a nice place. I'll see how I play over the next two weeks and then I will have a chat with Luke [Donald] and if necessary I will change my schedule and come back and play a few tournaments in Europe.

"My intention is to go play some Champions Tour events but if I am genuinely in contention [to make European Ryder Cup team] then I am prepared to make the effort and change my schedule and come back and prove it."

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Should Padraig Harrington receive a captain's pick in the 2023 European Ryder Cup team?

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Harrington's Ryder Cup Record: 

• Record: 25 matches, 10.5 points
• All formats (W–L–H): 9–13–3 = 10.5 pts
• Singles: 3–3–0 = 3 pts
• Foursomes: 3–4–3 = 4.5 pts
• Fourballs: 3–6–0 = 3 pts

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