Padraig Harrington's hopes of defending his British Open title hangs in the balance on the eve of the 2008 tournament as he mulls whether to risk playing with an injured wrist.
Harrington felt pain in the joint after hitting just two balls on Wednesday morning, forcing him to abandon a planned nine-hole practice session in favour of some chipping and putting around the greens.
Afterwards, he admitted that he was not 100 per cent certain to make his scheduled appearance on Royal Birkdale's first tee just before 8am on Thursday.
"The decision will be mine. I cannot say anything at the moment other than I will be making a strenuous effort," he said.
"I will be apprehensive about hitting any shot. I'll certainly be apprehensive about hitting out of the rough."
Harrington, who suffered the wrist injury at the weekend, had started the day in a much more positive frame of mind.
"It felt stronger and I was fine warming-up," he said.
"I didn't feel any shots - I hit drivers and I had no problem taking divots.
"But on the course the first six-iron hurt. I was surprised."
He added: "I have to hope it won't be like that tomorrow and it's an injury that as every day goes by we expect to get better."
Harrington won his first major title at Carnoustie 12 months ago after beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off.
