Cromwell, Connecticut …
Padraig Harrington laughed off a freak injury, and what he first believed could have been career threatening, as just another enforced “holiday”.
The injury occurred Monday of the FedEx St. Jude Classic when Harrington was hosting a corporate clinic in the Washington D C area.
Harrington later received six stitches right on the point of his left elbow ruling him out of the Memphis event and forcing him to return home.
He has returned to the PGA Tour for the Travelers Championship, and despite having only played 21 rounds this year, he was in great spirits after shooting a four under par 66 in ideal conditions on the TPC River Highlands course in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Padraig Harrington and his now very healed left elbow. Photo .. www.golfbytourmiss.com
Padraig Harrington and his now very healed left elbow. Photo .. www.golfbytourmiss.com
And thanks to those who attended Harrington’s injury there is, in looking at his elbow, hardly any sign of then the seriousness of the injury.
“This is my low score of the year but then I have only played 21 rounds this year”, said Harrington smiling.
“The good thing is that I had 13 straight one-putts in the pro-am yesterday and I followed that up today.
“I had been starting to show some form at the Memorial and then day after I managed to get injured again and for a second time this season, so I am hoping it does not come in threes.
“This latest injury was my own fault in getting too close to an amateur I was giving a lesson but looking at it now you wouldn’t know as I’ve had the stitches out and it has healed up so well, and so much so, I am a little bit embarrassed about it (laughing).
“And this is the great thing about being a professional golfer as every time you get injured you get a holiday. So, I have had a 12-week holiday and now followed that up with a 10-day holiday.
“So, I am not sharp tee-to-green as I am doubting a lot of my lines but then I was starting to get there but thankfully my short game was very sharp and I have been practicing that a lot, so when you have a neck injury and an elbow injury really all you can do is chip and putt”.
Harrington ended the round, and his 28th in now eight appearances at the Travelers trailing three shots behind Jordan Spieth who shot a round of 63.
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