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Poulter & McIlroy urge Monty to pick Harrington

Padraig Harrington is presently just outside the automatic qualification places for the Ryder Cup © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter have urged European captain Colin Montgomerie to include Padraig Harrington in the Ryder Cup squad if he does not secure automatic qualification.

Harrington currently lies outside the top nine in the European list, meaning that - as things stand - he would require one of captain Montgomerie's three wildcard picks in order to take his place at the biennial event.

Although Harrington does not have a stellar record in the Ryder Cup from his five appearances to date, McIlroy insists that his experience could make the difference for Europe.

"It would be huge for Europe if Padraig were to qualify automatically and not have to rely on a pick," McIlroy told the Belfast Telegraph. "His Ryder Cup record has not been great, but just to have him in the team room will be invaluable, just for everyone to have someone like him to go to for advice and so on.

"So, whether he plays his way into the team or not, I expect him to be in the team. Monty has a very tough task to choose three guys and I would not want the job because he will be leaving out guys who could be great."

Poulter, himself the beneficiary of a wildcard pick for the last Ryder Cup, echoed McIlroy's sentiments by praising Harrington's tenacity and will to win.

"Padraig's experience of playing in the Ryder Cup is huge," said Poulter. "He's a gutsy character, but then if you looked at his record in the last two Ryder Cups he would be the first to admit he hasn't played all that well.

"But, aside from that, I don't think there is any player in the American side who would want to play against him because you know you are going to be in a golf match."

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