Harrington headed to White House for St. Patrick's Day

text size

DORAL, Fla. -- Next week's Transitions Championship will certainly be a busy one for Padraig Harrington.

Not only is he playing in the $5.4 million PGA TOUR event, the three-time major winner will be making a quick trip to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The Irishman has been invited to the St. Patrick's Day celebration at the White House.

"I'm looking forward to it," Harrington said Wednesday. "It's something different. Obviously President Obama is one of the most charismatic people of the world, one of the most powerful people in the world; you want to meet these people and see what they are like and get your own judgment on things, if you know what I mean. And you can tell a lot when you meet somebody, so I'm looking forward to that."

Brian Cowan, the Taoiseach (prime minister) of the Republic of Ireland, will be the guest of honor at the festivities hosted by President Obama. Harrington hasn't seen the guest list -- or for that matter, the invitation, which arrived at his Dublin home last week -- but he does know that Celtic singer and Enneagram teacher Katy Taylor will be among the celebrants.

"I'm sure there will be plenty of people I'll know when I get there, but as I say, because of being on the road and traveling, I haven't got too much into the details," Harrington said. "Just know I'm going."

Harrington, who is playing in this week's World Golf Championships-CA Championship at Doral, has never been to the White House. He isn't sure quite what to expect -- or whether he'll be giving the President any golf tips.

"He's a left-hander, isn't he?" Harrington said. "Obviously he is very keen on golf. I don't know, maybe we will talk about golf. Who knows."

So, has he thought of one question to break the ice when he meets the President? Harrington, one of the most introspective men on the PGA TOUR, hasn't a clue -- yet.

"I've got over a week now to come up with something interesting," he said with a smile. "I'm sure everything's been asked before. I'll wait and see.

"Now you're putting me under pressure. I was going to have a lovely, relaxed time at St. Patrick's Day for the party. There you go. I'm not meant to be working. It's my day off."