GLENEAGLES, Scotland – European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal denied that an old rift with Padraig Harrington will affect the Irish player's chances of making the team.
Harrington questioned Olazabal about repairing pitch marks in the 2003 Seve Trophy in Spain, but the Spaniard dismissed suggestions the old spat will impact his two captain's picks for the matches next month at Medinah.
"If people believe that is interfering with my judgment then first of all they are completely wrong. If that was the case I would be failing as a captain," Olazabal said
But Olazabal, who missed the cut Friday in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, played down Harrington's chance of competing in a seventh Ryder Cup on the basis of his performance.
"Harrington is well back on the list and not closer than other players, so he certainly needs a win or a top finish to make the team," Olazabal said.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.