Padraig predicts Poulter push

Open champion Padraig Harrington has backed runner-up Ian Poulter to join him at the Ryder Cup in September.

The Dubliner made sure of his place in Valhalla with his second consecutive Open win yesterday, with Poulter four strokes behind in second - a result that keeps him out of the automatic places.

Harrington, however, believes Poulter can progress and earn a spot in captain Nick Faldo's Europe team.

Harrington said: "I think it's inevitable he will play his way in from here. He's shown he is a big-time player and that's the type you want in the Ryder Cup."

"The Ryder Cup is very entertaining once you're in the team!" he added.