It might not be as hyped as the Super Bowl, but the British Open injury report sure seems to be as consistent.Defending champion Padraig Harrington said he might have to pull out at Royal Birkdale after injuring his wrist hitting an impact bag on Saturday. If you're not familiar with an impact bag, it's a big yellow bag you swing and hit with your golf club, that practically stops your swing immediately, similar to a soft tree or forgiving brick wall.
"I've been having treatment, and I'm strongly hopeful I will be able to play," Harrington said. "The only issue would be if I re-injured it in the rough, and that's what is a little bit scary. I'm going for physio now, and then out to see if I can hit shots. If it stays stable, I will play a practice round but pick the ball up in the rough. If it's not stable I will have another day off."Now that is a way to get ready for a major championship, picking your ball up when you hit it in the rough! I guess now that guy I play with that always seem to be tooling with his ball when he hits it in the hay will have someone to idolize.
If Harrington does have to drop out because of the wrist, he'll join Tiger Woods and Luke Donald as huge names that aren't going to be battling for the Claret Jug. A healthy Harrington has to be a favorite this week, but this wrist injury will make the field that much more open.
I bet that impact bag finds itself in a dumpster before the week is over.
