Harrington vows to play on
Padraig Harrington will play through the pain barrier to defend his Open Championship title this week after suffering a wrist injury.
The Irishman sustained the injury while winning the Irish PGA tournament on Saturday and only managed his first nine holes of practice yesterday ahead of the first round at Royal Birkdale tomorrow.
“If it wasn’t the Open, I would have pulled out,” Harrington admitted. “I would have had treatment and then decided I couldn’t risk it. But because it’s Open week I’ll make the effort.”
The 36-year-old enjoyed his finest moment at the Open last year when beating Spaniard Sergio Garcia in a play-off at Carnoustie to lift his first Major title.
But he admits he has serious concerns about playing shots from the rough this week, which would leave him with a severe disadvantage on the links of Royal Birkdale.
Harrington deliberately avoided playing shots from the rough during his practice round yesterday and is just hoping his wrist will get stronger before tomorrow’s start.
“I know I will not get through 72 holes this week without going into the rough and the biggest worry is if I do something that will flare it up and give me a problem,” he added. But speaking of his win in the Irish PGA, he added: “It’s always better to get that winning feeling. It’s a nice habit to stick to.”
Meanwhile, last year’s runner-up Garcia is eyeing a Spanish summer treble as he looks to go one better and land his first Major title this weekend.
Garcia, many people’s favourite to lift the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale, has been buoyed by Spain’s victory in Euro 2008 and his tennis player friend Rafael Nadal winning his first ever Wimbledon title.
“This year has been solid for me so far and, with the Spanish football team and Nadal, I’m just trying to keep up with my fellow countrymen,” Garcia said. “I feel like my game is probably as good as it’s ever been.”