Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Europe during the first practice day for the 35th Ryder Cup Matches at the Oakland Hills Country Club on September, 14 2004 in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Harrington pockets a Joey

September 15, 2004

Padraig Harrington ensured he will engender a little extra support from the home Detroit galleries when The 35th Ryder Cup Matches get underway on Friday by enlisting the support in practice of one of the Motor City's favourite sons.

Harrington's cousin Joey is the quarterback for the Detroit Lions american football team, who ended a recent run of defeats with a fine win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, and the football star walked the fairways with his golfing cousin in Tuesday's practice round.

"He walked four or so holes with me which was great because we had the chance at last to have a chat about things because with both our schedules it is often pretty difficult to get together," said Padraig.

Asked if Joey was recognised by his fellow spectators, Harrington grinned: "Eh yes, I would say so! After Eminem he is the second most famous person from Detroit I think isn't he?

"As for who he is supporting, I think I read somewhere a couple of weeks back that he hopes I play well but that the US team wins which is pretty fair. I would expect that of anybody who was born in the US but obviously he knows me and he's hoping that I play well too."

Harrington also revealed that his win in last week's Linde German Masters at Gut L?rchenhof had given him the perfect fillip going into the pressure cooker that will be Oakland Hills Country Club.

"I went to the Linde German Masters looking for some form undoubtedly but I didn't expect to turn it around so quickly and win," said Harrington.

"I would have been quite happy just showing some form and maybe finishing in the top ten. But it was nice to play well and show that, when I got into position, I was able to really focus in and win a tournament that perhaps wasn't mine for the winning."

Team U.S.A. (9/19/04)
Team Europe (9/19/04)
McGinley & Harrington (9/18/04)
Clarke, Garcia, Westwood, & Donald (9/18/04)
Bernhard Langer - Afternoon (9/18/04)
Hal Sutton - Afternoon (9/18/04)
Toms & Mickelson (9/18/04)
Chris DiMarco (9/18/04)
Bernhard Langer (9/18/04)
Hal Sutton (9/18/04)
Casey & Howell (9/18/04)
Stewart Cink (9/18/04)
Garcia & Westwood (9/18/04)
Haas & DiMarco (9/18/04)
Chad Campbell (9/18/04)
Colin Montgomerie (9/17/04)
Chris Riley (9/18/04)
Woods & Riley (9/18/04)
Clarke & Poulter (9/18/04)

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