Harrington remains a doubt

British Open: Open champion Pádraig Harrington managed just two shots in today's practice round before coming off the course at Royal Birkdale to receive further treatment on his injured wrist.

The Dubliner teed off from the 10th with a two-iron then played a seven-iron approach from the middle of the fairway before aborting his final practice round proper ahead of tomorrow's first round.

"That's it, we're finished for the day," Harrington was heard saying to his caddy Ronan Flood before heading straight to the treatment room.

Australian physio Dale Richardson treated and strapped-up Harrington's wrist and the Dubliner returned to the course and his two South African playing partners, Darren Fichardt and Doug McGuigan.

However, Harrington simply observed where other players are hitting their shots from around the Lancashire venue and restricted his practice to short pitch shots and putts, raising serious doubts of his ability to defend his title.

"The decision will be mine. I cannot say anything at the moment other than I will be making a strenuous effort," he said after a frustrating day. "I will be apprehensive about hitting any shot. I'll certainly be apprehensive about hitting out of the rough."

Strangely, the defending champion came through a good session on the range this morning with no apparent problems to the wrist.

"I was fine warming-up," he explained. "I didn't feel any shots — I hit drivers and I had no problem taking divots. But on the course the first six-iron hurt. I was surprised."

The 36-year-old injured his wrist last Saturday just hours after retaining his Irish PGA title at The European Club. He damaged the wrist while hitting a driver into an impact bag in his gym, an exercise designed to strengthen a player's wrist and one he has done for years without any problems.

"I have to hope it won't be like that tomorrow and it's an injury that as every day goes by we expect to get better," Harrington added.

Asked how he felt as he continued round the back nine just chipping and putting, Harrington replied: "I don't know actually. I don't want to push it to the edge. I just want to rest it.

"I've had no injection, but I've taken anti-inflammatories, had some laser-like treatment and I've iced it. I think that about covers it. It might be a situation of managing the pain. If the stability is staying strong the pain is not a problem, but it's the anticipation or the flinching with the pain that could be the problem.

"If I can mask that I will be fine. There is no worry about doing damage — Dale has been very positive on that."