Wrist injury threatens to prevent Harrington defending Open title

Harrington injured his wrist on Saturday and has not hit a shot since, and admits he is worried about the problem flaring up when playing out of the rough.

'I've been having treatment and I'm strongly hopeful I will be able to play,' said the Dubliner, who struggled with a neck injury at the European Open a fortnight ago.

Major doubt: Harrington's injury could keep him out of The Open

'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.'

Asked if he would definitely tee off in the first round of Thursday, Harrington said: 'I'm just not sure. I don't know.

'It has improved over the last two days but I just can't be sure until I hit start hitting shots. I could not support the weight of the club with my wrist on Saturday and Sunday. I can do that now but I don't know about hitting into the turf or the rough and that's something I can't really test.'

Harrington is trying to think positively about the problem, recalling that he also did not play a practice round on the Monday last year before his victory at Carnoustie.

'It's not the end of the world,' added the 36-year-old. 'It's a good straightforward course. It would not be the worst course in the world to just have one practice round.

'Mentally I'm quite positive, just a bit worried about it being weak and flaring up where I can't continue to play. I think I will be teeing it up with strapping (on it), but who knows.'