Harrington app-y to tweet

Padraig Harrington launches his new iPhone app todayPadraig Harrington joined the Twitter revolution today but vowed not to become a tweeting twit.

After insisting for years that he’d never tweet, he’s joined as @Padraig_H to mark the launch of his new iPhone app.

Still not convinced by Twitter, Harrington said: “Interesting is the best word I could use for the whole Twitter thing.

“I follow nobody. I do read the odd report by journalists that is made up completely by players’ tweets. It’s usually very entertaining. You say to yourself, ‘I can’t believe he said that.’”  

Padraig Harrington’s iPhone appAfter seeing players like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy land themselves in Twitter trouble, Harrington is determined to avoid a digital double bogey.

McIlroy dubbed ex-pro and TV commentator Jay Townsend a “failed golfer” and slammed soccer star Robbie Savage as “a twat” before getting his Twitter habit under control.

But Harrington, who goes into the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship five shots behind leader Jason Dufner after an level par 70 on Saturday, has vowed only to use the social media platform to attract users to his smartphone app.

He said: “I really don’t like following the pack or being second to anything. Hopefully the app is something original.

“It will manage all those standard social media platforms you see, like Facebook and Twitter, but there will be a lot more there.

“There will be live scoring from the tournaments I’m playing in, which no other player app offers

“There will be the tournament previews and reviews, videos and photos, and in time there will be swing tips.

Live scoring is one of the best features of Harrington’s app“I’ve already done a hole-by-hole preview for The Open Championship and we’ll probably do one for the Irish Open.”

Harrington will play next week’s BMW PGA at Wentworth bidding to become the first Irish winner of the prestigious title for 54 years.

Determined to give it his best shot, he said: “I wouldn’t swap two BMW PGA’s for a major but it’s a title I’d dearly love to have on my CV.

“I’m surprised that no Irishman has won it since Harry Bradshaw in 1958 but we have a good crop of guys now so we might finally knock one off there.”

Padraig Harrington’s BMW PGA record

• 2011 Did not play - injured
• 2010 6th €126,450 71 67 72 72 282 -2
• 2009 Did not play - injured
• 2008 Did not play
• 2007 24T €43,935 69 69 75 74 287 -1
• 2006 6T €112,540 72 70 68 71 281 -7
• 2005 11T €62,457 70 68 74 71 283 -5
• 2004 Did not play
• 2003 Did not play
• 2002 Missed cut 113T €0 76 72 148 +4
• 2001 45T €15,029 67 75 69 76 287 -1
• 2000 17T €32,214 72 74 69 67 282 -6
• 1999 56T €6,188 74 70 72 73 289 +1
• 1998 11 €28,140 70 69 69 70 278 -10
• 1997 60 €4,312 74 73 73 73 293 +5
• 1996 13 €19,421 71 71 72 68 282 -6

Appearances 11

Top 5’s 0

Top 10’s 2

Top 20’s 4

Missed cut 1