While John McHenry kept his Dunhill Cup dream alive at the Berlin Sporting Club yesterday, the first round of the German Open resembled more of a nightmare for St Andrews contender Philip Walton.

Walton's bid for a sixth Dunhill appearance looks to be over. He might not even be able to play today after succumbing to tendonitis in his right wrist.

The Malahide professional spent half his round with the wrist packed in ice, sought emergency treatment at the physiotherapy unit, and will decide this morning whether he will be fit to play after carding a four-over-par 76. That left Walton nine shots off the four leaders, Spain's defending champion Ignacio Garrido, Maori Michael Campbell, Scot Paul Lawrie and French outsider Olivier Edmond, all on five-under par 67s. More importantly, though, Walton is floundering way behind his chief rivals for St Andrews and if he does have to pull out, his Dunhill chances are gone.

Yesterday, Padraig Harrington posted a 73, in which he fought his way back after an awful start, while Paul McGinley, who is injury free, also stumbled early on as he shot 73, too. But, as he has done of late, he performed well at the end of his round and he remains firm favourite for the second place to go alongside Darren Clarke at St Andrews. McGinley is £40,000 in front of Walton with just this week to count, while Harrington is only £13,000 in front of the Malahide man. So Walton's plight is truly desperate.

"I'll have to make a decision in the morning," he said as he strode off for more ice packing and treatment. "But it looks like curtains.

"It's probably through too much practice and trying to get into contention all the while for the Dunhill team."

If Walton's race is run, however, McHenry could still force his way into the team with around £43,000 to make up on Harrington. For the moment, though, the Corkman settled for a 70 on his return to play, following four weeks away from golf after making certain of his card at Loch Lomond, the week before the British Open.