South African Thomas Aiken is thankful for the physiotheraphy skills of his wife as he strives to take his place in this week’s $US 7m BMW Masters in Shanghai.

Aiken is battling a torn tendon in the thumb of his left hand, and something he attributes to the ‘wear-and-tear’ of being a professional golfer.

Thomas Aiken battling a torn tendon in his left thumb heading into this week’s BMW Masters in Shanghai. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“I’ve got a strained tendon on the top of my left thumb and it’s just from hitting golf balls,” he said.

“It’s a wear-and-tear thing but it should be alright, and I’m very fortunate as my wife is a physiotherapist (smiling).

“I’ve got the thumb strapped under my golf glove but then ’m not taking any medicine but then if it’s still sore tomorrow I may take some anti-inflamatories.

“But without the strapping I could not hold the golf club.”

This week’s inaugural fully sanctioned European Tour event is important to Aiken as he arrived in the Chinese financial capital lying 66th on the Race to Dubai money list and naturally very keen to be competing in next month’s season-ending event.

In fact, the former Spanish Open champion is just Euro 29,136 adrift of 60th spot on the Race to Dubai and would break into the Dubai qualifiers by finishing 43rd or better in the no cut 78-player tournament.

And after playing in each of the three Dubai World Championship events, finishing 46th on the money list in 2009, 58th in 2010 and then 22nd last year, the South African is, of course, keen to make it four from four.