Padraig Harrington must wait until next week before knowing whether he has a place in the USPGA Championship at Winged Foot on August 14th to 17th. But the indications are that he will get an invitation - as was outlined last weekend - before the entries are finalised on August 3rd. Such an invitation would be based, however, on factors other than his current 11th position in the European Ryder Cup points table. "We've talked to Padraig's agents about the matter and they will be notified next week," said Julius Mason of the PGA of America yesterday.
He added: "We are inviting the leading 75 in the Sony World Rankings and Padraig is 77th. So, the chances are that he will benefit from withdrawals. Either way, our goal is to have the best field possible and ideally, that should include the fifth place finisher in the British Open."
Harrington's reaction was predictably enthusiastic. "If I get the call, believe me I'll be there," he said yesterday. "After the way I finished last Sunday, I'd dearly love to play in another major championship."
The £62,500 sterling which he earned at Royal Troon has given him 127th position in the current US money list after only two events: he failed to make the cut in the US Open last month. So, a good performance at Winged Foot would almost certainly give him the option of US Tour status for next season.
Darren Clarke is already certain of finishing the year well inside the top 125 in the US. In fact, he is 60th in the money list with earnings of $261,816 from two events. It should be noted that the British Open is now included in the USPGA Tour schedule.
Jesper Parnevik indicated it would take some time for him to get over his second crushing disappointment in the British Open. However, the pain is likely to be eased somewhat by the fact that he has passed the $1 million mark in official US earnings so far this season.
Meanwhile, sponsorship by Bank of Ireland MasterCard means that the Irish PGA Southern Championship will have a considerably enhanced prize fund of £40,000 when it is staged at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links on September 24th.
This is the week of the Ryder Cup at Valderrama which means that leading Irish tour players not involved there, will be competing. Those expected to take part are Eamonn Darcy, Philip Walton, Des Smyth, David Higgins and Raymond Burns.
The championship will be preceded by a pro-am event on September 23rd to support two local charities, "Arch" and "L'Arche" which are based in Portmarnock and Baldoyle and cater for adults and children with special needs.
Yesterday's qualifying round for the British Seniors Open at Royal Portrush was badly disrupted in the afternoon by a thunder storm and pouring rain. However, Mick Murphy of Baltinglass battled through to book his spot in the championship which tees off tomorrow. Involved in a five-man shoot out, he clinched his place in the draw with a par four at the first hole.Qualifying also took place at Castlerock and best of the Irish was Killarney's Tony Coveney, who handed in a two over par 74.
