Padraig Harrington slips out of automatic Ryder Cup spots

Published on Sunday 7 February 2010 23:20

PADRAIG Harrington's missed cut in the PGA Tour's Northern Trust Open – his first event of the year – has led to him dropping out of an automatic spot in Europe's Ryder Cup standings.

German Martin Kaymer's fourth-place finish at the Dubai Desert Classic lifts him above Harrington on the world points list from which the first four members of Colin Montgomerie's side will come for the match at the Celtic Manor Resort in October. Italian Francesco Molinari is in the last automatic position now.

Meanwhile, a bogey at the last hole of his delayed third round did not prevent Steve Stricker from taking a dominant lead into the final round at the Northern Trust Open near Los Angeles.

World No 3 Stricker resumed his third round at a rainy Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades with four holes to play and with a five-stroke lead over fellow American JB Holmes, Argentina's Andres Romero and England's Luke Donald.

He quickly added two more shots to that lead with birdies at the 15th and 16th but after 32 bogey-free holes at the par-71 Riviera course, a five at the par-four 18th left Stricker with a 66 at 15 under par, six shots clear with 18 holes to play.

Donald was leading the chase of runaway leader Stricker, the runner-up behind Phil Mickelson 12 months ago, having carded a 66 today before play was suspended for the second night in a row due to darkness.

&#149 Peterhead's Philip McLean dropped off the top and back into a share of fifth during the second round of the Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island in Georgia.

The Paul Lawrie protege, who led a world class field of amateurs after an opening 69, struggled to a nine-over 81 for a six-over aggregate of 150.

McLean was heading into the final round three shots behind Blayne Barber who edged to the front with a 74 for 147.

James White had a 78 for 159 while Ross Kellett finished two shots further back on 161 after an 82. Steven McEwan also had an 82 for a 167.

&#149 Robert McKnight followed up his first win on the US Minor League Golf Tour with a tie for 10th in the PGA Estates Classic. The Kilmarnock exile hit a two-under 70.