Graeme McDowell may need to adjust the balance of his 2012 schedule after suffering a freak hand injury Friday at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Unlike a number of news sources and websites not being represented here in Shenzhen but www.golfbytourmiss.com noticed McDowell arrived on the first tee for the second round of the WGC – HSBC Champions event with his right hand heavily strapped.
Graeme McDowell with his fingers on his right hand strapped after jamming his hand in the door of his on-course hotel. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
After his round he jogged from the scorer’s hut and straight into an appointment with an on-course doctor.
According to Horizon Sports manager Conor Ridge, the Ulsterman caught his right hand in a door at his hotel just prior to leaving for his second round at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.
“He got it treated this morning,” said Ridge.
“It was obviously quite sore because he said it feels like it’s broken,” explained Ridge. “They’ve confirmed since that it’s not broken, just bruised.”
McDowell played through the pain Friday, but managed only a 3-over 75 and now stands T-56 among the 78-player field, 18 shots behind leader Louis Oosthuizen. According to Ridge, McDowell will decide whether to continue this week after further medical tests on Friday.
In addition to this week’s event, the 2010 U.S. Open champion is currently slated to compete in next fortnight’s Australian Masters in Melbourne and then the following wee’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai before ending his year in the Tiger Woods hosted World Challenge and an event he captured in 2010.
Despite the bizarre injury, McDowell’s manager remains confident that the show will go on.
“He’s not going to want to miss any of them,” Ridge added.
“Graeme won’t want to miss the last two rounds here, let’s be honest. Hopefully he’s OK, but knowing him he’d have to be pretty bad not to play.”
After the round Friday, McDowell went to Twitter to give an update on the situation.
“Busted up my hand a bit last night…had an argument with a door,” he tweeted. “Nothing broken. Just bruised and swollen. Should be okay for tomorrow.”
