A reoccurrence of an old neck injury could still sideline Padraig Harrington for this year’s Masters.
Harrington revealed he was on the verge of pulling out after injuring his neck while warming-up on the Augusta National practice range.
The triple Major winner’s five-over par 77 was the third time in a dozen appearances he’s started with a similar score and also the 10th occasion he’s failed to break 70 on day one.
Harrington could be observed rubbing and favouring his neck as he walked the course before signing for a card showing three birdies but also four bogeys and a pair of double bogeys.
“I started terribly and I nearly pulled out before I started,” he said.
“I haven’t even come close to swinging the club, but you know, I’m wanted to pull out, but I wouldn’t. That’s just my nature. I would always have a go. But it wasn’t much fun.
“I was swinging the left‑handed shot, just warming up and it just kind of clicked and I’m not able to move to my right. So it was a bit of, yeah. Such is life.
“It’s disappointing as I prepared very well, I was obviously very happy with that. And I can’t do much more than that.
“But, yeah, it’s disappointing when you don’t get the opportunity.
“It hasn’t given me too much trouble during the year. But it’s always going to happen. You know, sometimes. And I would love to tell you that there’s more I could do, let’s say, aside from cutting my head off. “
And while admitting he elected not to take pain-killers, Harrington’s now doubtful if he will take his place on day two.
“Knowing me, I would never fail to finish a round of golf and I take some pride in that,” he said.
“ I never failed to finish a tournament. So I would like to finish the Tournament.
“But it’s tough when you can’t hit the shots, yeah. It would be just hard enough to make up the numbers, but as it is, you know, we’ll see how it goes.”
Harrington’s injury is a reoccurrence of the injury he sustained during the course of the 2002 U.S. PGA Championship at Hazeltine when he injured his neck while engaged in one of those virtual boxing entertainment machines.
Bizarrely, Harrington disclosed he failed to entertain the thought of taking pain-killers.
“I didn’t take any pain killers as I was hoping it would go away, but it actually got worse on the course,” he said.
“Maybe I should have taken the pain killers. There you go. It didn’t cross my mind.
“It’s just that I couldn’t keep my head in position, at impact. I had to come up on all my shots. And when you’re doing that you can hit it right and left.”
