Wrist Injury Leaves Harrington Fearing for His Open Prospects

Padraig Harrington does not know whether he will be fit to defend his Open title at Royal Birkdale after injuring his wrist on Saturday. Despite saying that he was "strongly hopeful" of recovering in time, Harrington, who was hampered by a neck injury at the European Open a fortnight ago, acknowledged today that he has not hit a shot since suffering his latest setback at the Irish PGA Championship.

"I'm just not sure. I don't know," replied Harrington when asked whether he would be fit to take part in the first round on Thursday. "It has improved over the last two days but I just can't be sure until I hit start hitting shots. I could not support the weight of the club with my wrist on Saturday and Sunday. I can do that now but I don't know about hitting into the turf or the rough and that's something I can't really test.

"The only issue would be if I re-injured it in the rough and that's what is a little bit scary. I'm going for physio now and then out to see if I can hit shots. If it stays stable I will play a practice round but pick the ball up in the rough. If it's not stable I will have another day off."

Harrington did also point out, however, that that he also did not play a practice round on the Monday last year before his victory at Carnoustie. "It's not the end of the world," he added. "It's a good straightforward course. It would not be the worst course in the world to just have one practice round. Mentally I'm quite positive, just a bit worried about it being weak and flaring up where I can't continue to play. I think I will be teeing it up with strapping [on it], but who knows."