Harrington's Ryder Cup dilemma

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- By week's end, we will surely all have our fill of Ryder Cup talk, but that's not to say we'll have much resolved.

While this will be the last qualifying week for the U.S. side, the Europeans have until through the Johnnie Walker Classic at Gleneagles, which concludes August 29. That creates a particular dilemma for Padraig Harrington, who needs to move up one spot on the European points list, but who isn't planning on playing at Gleneagles because of a previous commitment to conduct a clinic for the Special Olympics at the Barclays at Ridgewood CC in New Jersey the same week.

Asked several times if he would consider changing his schedule, Harrington said he was intent on being at the clinic. That leaves him having to qualify this week at the PGA, or to rely on captain Colin Montgomerie to take him as a wildcard pick. Among Harrington's competition: England's Justin Rose and Paul Casey, and Sweden's Carl Petterson.

"I told him at that stage I would try to sort it out his problems," Harrington said. "But in the end of the day he has to pick three players no matter what. I don't think anybody has a right to be picked, that's for sure....There's not room for everybody."

-- Sam Weinman