Rose Calls Padraig Harrington "Front-Runner" For Ryder Cup Captaincy

The Irishman has been a Vice Captain in the last three Ryder Cups

Rose Calls Padraig Harrington "Front-Runner" For Ryder Cup Captaincy

The Irishman has been a Vice Captain in the last three Ryder Cups

Rose Calls Padraig Harrington "Front Runner" For Ryder Cup Captaincy

The Ryder Cup has only just concluded and speculation has already been rising over who will captain the side at Whistling Straits in 2020.

We make Padraig Harrington the favourite with Lee Westwood a close second and it appears Justin Rose does too.

Related: British Masters Preview, TV Times

The Englishman and world number two hosts the British Masters this week at Walton Heath and spoke about future captains on Sky Sports News today.

"I would say that Padraig, for me, would be the front-runner," Rose said.

Harrington is favourite for the position

"I would say as a three-time major champion, and clearly a European legend, Padraig is the front-runner, but you've also got Lee Westwood.

Related: Who will be European Ryder Cup Captain in 2020?

"It's interesting when you try to project out who the possible captains are for the next 10 Ryder Cups.

"But if Padraig doesn't do it this time then I'm not sure, you have got to start fitting guys in.

Harrington made six Ryder Cup appearances as a player and has been a Vice Captain at the past three matches.

The three-time major winner tasted victory in the Ryder Cup in four of his six appearance and won 10.5 points from 25 games.

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Justin Rose isn't the only European backing Harrington for captaincy, Rory McIlroy is as well.

"I've always thought Padraig would be a good captain in the United States," the four-time major winner said last week.

Related: Who will be USA Ryder Cup Captain in 2020?

"He's won a lot of golf tournaments over there, including a [US] PGA Championship.

"I think the continuity in the European camp having all these vice-captains this year and preparing for captaincy down the road has been a huge foundation of why we've been so good."

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV