It’s been an adventurous 2017 for Padraig Harrington. Nerve damage severely limited Harrington’s play in the early part of the season, pain so severe the Irishman eventually underwent neck surgery. Then he found headlines for the wrong reasons in April, calling Sergio Garcia a “sore loser“. (The two have since made peace.) The latest news concerning the three-time Major winner hasn’t turned this tide.
Harrington took to Twitter overnight morning to announce his withdrawal from this week’s FedEx St Jude Classic. The reason? The 45-year-old was injured by an amateur’s practice swing.
The incident was scary enough that Harrington initially thought his playing days were through. Luckily, he required “only” six stitches, and reported nothing was broken.
Hopefully this is the end of the bumpy road for Harrington, who’s aiming to get his game in shape for the Claret Jug’s return to Royal Birkdale, site of his 2008 victory.