Harrington to become father again

By Brian Keogh

Padraig Harrington will be giving Tiger Woods the elbow as it emerged that his wife is pregnant again.

Caroline Harrington is due to give birth to the couple's second child on 4 December, ruling Harrington out of Tiger's end of season Target World Challenge in California.

The Dubliner could also miss the World Cup at Mission Hills in China from 22-25 November and the Million Dollar Nedbank Challenge the following week.

But unlike the birth of the couple's first child Paddy, who will be four in August, he won't be disrupted during the Majors.

Harrington beamed: "It's great news that Caroline is expecting. We timed it well but we didn't plan it that way.

"It looks like I could miss the World Cup, the Million Dollar and the Target but we will have to wait and see what happens."

Harrington's first child Paddy was due during the 2003 US PGA Championship, which is held in August.

But the baby was late and did not arrive until after the following week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

Harrington waited for developments all week and admitted he thought about withdrawing after an opening 73.

Coming off the last green Harrington showed a message on his mobile phone from Caroline saying: "You concentrate on your job and I will do mine."

Harrington took three weeks off following the birth - finishing 13th in the Lancome Trophy on his return.

But has no worries that fatherhood will affect his performance on the golf course having won eight times around the world since he became a Dad.

He said: "The less tournaments you play the more time you spend practicing and training at home.

"I can always bring the family with me, so that’s not the bigger issue. The issue is that playing too many events, which is not good for your golf.

"Having a baby is great news. Okay, it may change my schedule at the end of the year.

"We didn’t plan for it but it’s great timing. Unbelievably good. The Target, Sun City and World Cup all look very average at the moment but we’ll take it as it comes."

Harrington took three weeks off following the birth of his son Paddy in 2003 - finishing 13th in the Lancome Trophy on his return.

But has no worries that fatherhood will affect his performance on the golf course having won eight times around the world since he became a Dad.

He said: "The less tournaments you play the more time you spend practicing and training at home.

"I can always bring the family with me, so that’s not the bigger issue. The issue is that playing too many events, which is not good for your golf.

"Having a baby is great news. Okay, it may change my schedule at the end of the year.

"We didn’t plan for it but it’s great timing. Unbelievably good. The Target, Sun City and World Cup all look very average at the moment but we’ll take it as it comes."