Padraig Harrington still counting on Rory McIlroy despite foursomes omission

Europe captain Padraig Harrington defended his decision to leave Rory McIlroy on the sidelines for the first time in his Ryder Cup career as his side attempted to overturn a four-point deficit at Whistling Straits.
McIlroy had played 26 straight matches since making his debut at Celtic Manor in 2010, but lost twice on the opening day – alongside Ian Poulter and Shane Lowry – without even reaching the 16th hole.
Padraig Harrington still counting on Rory McIlroy
It was therefore no real surprise to see the four-time major winner left out of the Saturday foursomes, with Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia sent out first again following their victory on Friday.
We go again.
Day 2 foursomes matches 👀#TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/5b1YqU8qfd
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 25, 2021
The Spanish pair were drawn to face Daniel Berger and Brooks Koepka, with Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton up against Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa and rookies Viktor Hovland and Bernd Wiesberger taking on Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in match three.
Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, who lost their foursomes match on Friday, were up against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in match four.
“Rory, we need him for the singles,” Harrington told Sky Sports. “Pushing him out this morning, making him play five times, would be an awful lot. Clearly you’re going to see him this afternoon.
“If we are going to win tomorrow we are going to need a big singles day. We have to keep that in mind.”

US captain Steve Stricker insisted he was taking nothing for granted after the opening day, saying: “It’s a great start. We are very happy with the start. But my message to the guys is Saturday is a new day.
“Let’s just go out and try to win that first session again in the morning and pretend Friday never happened. Let’s keep our foot down and continue to play the golf that we know we can play.
“We’ve had some things that came up and bit us in the rear in other Ryder Cups, so these guys know that and they are focused on coming out strong again.”
Latest
-
LPGA Tour
Rose Zhang claims title in play-off on professional debut
Win is first on LPGA Tour on pro debut since Beverly Hanson in 1951.
-
News
Viktor Hovland edges out Denny McCarthy in play-off to win Memorial Tournament
Rory McIlory had to settle for a tie for seventh.
-
European Tour
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin wins first DP World Tour title after fine finish
The 20-year-old finished two shots clear at the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy soars to lead on third day of Ohio Memorial
The Northern Irishman finished tied with two other players on six under par.
-
European Tour
David Law tames the Green Monster course to move into contention in Hamburg
The Scot fired an eagle and eight birdies in a seven-under-par 66, a nine-shot improvement on his opening 75.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy bounces back to form in the Memorial Tournament
At four under par McIlroy was three shots off the early clubhouse lead.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Wallace one stroke behind lead after first day of PGA Memorial in Ohio
Matt Wallace and Danny Willett are sitting second and equal-third respectively after the first day of the Memorial.
-
Ryder Cup
I don’t think LIV golfers should be on European Ryder Cup team – Rory McIlroy
American players remain eligible despite being banned or resigning from the PGA Tour in the wake of joining the Saudi-funded circuit.
-
European Tour
Brendan Lawlor and Kim Moore excited for next week’s Scandinavian Mixed event
The pair won the men’s and women’s titles at the G4D Open at Woburn earlier this month.
-
PGA Tour
Emiliano Grillo claims second PGA tour title in Texas
It was Emiliano Grillo’s first PGA Tour win in over seven years.