OPEN champion Padraig Harrington had another injury scare during practice this morning but is determined to defend his title at Royal Birkdale.
The Irishman, nursing an injured wrist, walked off the course having failed to finish one hole after feeling pain hitting a seven-iron approach to the 10th green.
However, after seeking the advice of Australian chiropractor Dale Richardson and mem
bers of the on-site European Tour physiotherapy team, the Ryder Cup star returned to the course to continue his preparations.
Harrington played the front nine yesterday without attempting a single shot out of the rough, before being advised to rest his wrist further.
After a full warm-up on the range today he headed out to play the back nine but having hit two iron, seven iron at the 10th was heard to say to caddie Ronan Flood: "That's it, we're finished for the day."
But he was reassured enough by the advice from the medical team to continue his round.
Having sustained the problem on Saturday, Harrington admitted he did not know how the injury would stand up to the rigours of a 72-hole major championship.
"I could not support the weight of the club with my wrist on Saturday and Sunday," he said before his practice round yesterday.
"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.
"I know I will not get through 72 holes this week without going in the rough and the biggest worry is if I do something that will flare it up and give me a problem.
"If it wasn't the Open I would have pulled out. I would have come for treatment and then decided I could not risk it. But because it's Open week I will definitely make the effort."
Harrington won the Claret Jug at Carnoustie 12 months ago after a play-off against Sergio Garcia.
The full article contains 330 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
