Tiger Woods has shown it is possible to win a major while injured – now it is Padraig Harrington’s turn in the defence of his Open title.

Phil Mickelson insists the wrist injury which forced him to withdraw from the Memorial tournament in Ohio today will not keep him out of the US Open.

Tiger Woods did not have his “best stuff” but it did not stop him from winning the Wachovia Championship overnight.

Davis Love emerged from a mediocre recent period with a five-under-par 67 in the third round at the Wachovia Championship at Charlotte.

PAUL McGINLEY quit after playing the opening nine holes at Augusta yesterday still suffering from the hay fever that afflicted him badly during the Players’ Championship at Sawgrass a fortnight ago.

PAUL McGINLEY strolled from the Augusta National locker room to the practice range as if he was beginning his preparation for just another run-of-the-mill tournament instead of his second tilt at the Masters.

Ian Poulter’s hopes of playing the Masters in three weeks’ time were left hanging by a thread today when he slumped to an 82 and along with Colin Montgomerie crashed out of the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando.

WORLD number six Pádraig Harrington has said he may not play in the US Masters in two weeks’ time.

Europe’s top golfer Padraig Harrington is not a certain starter in the Masters in two weeks’ time.

As the battle for the world number one spot goes on this week – Ernie Els and Tiger Woods could both replace Vijay Singh just a week after he went back to the top – one former holder of the crown has other things on his mind.

Ireland’s Graeme McDowell is guaranteed a Masters debut in two weeks’ time after climbing from 52nd to 38th in the world rankings with his brilliant joint second place in the Bay Hill Invitational in Florida.

Ernie Els returned to America today – after a brief stopover at his Wentworth home to “hug the kids” – flying high in every sense.

ERNIE ELS followed up his dramatic victory in the Dubai Desert Classic with another remarkable success in the Middle East yesterday.

Ernie Els has won the Qatar Master by one shot. He finished -12, one ahead of overnight leader Henrik Stenson from Sweden.

Colin Montgomerie’s fourth-place finish in the Dubai Desert Classic has lifted him seven places in the world rankings to 56th.

A giant-sized blunder from Ernie Els helped Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez retain the lead in the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates today.

Miguel Angel Jimenez stretched his lead to four shots at the Dubai Desert Classic today – helped by an unexpected blunder from world number three Ernie Els.

Greg Norman withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic before his second round today after suffering a recurrence of back trouble.

Darren Clarke, Brian Davis and Colin Montgomerie were all still in with a chance of winning the Nissan Open when they woke up in Los Angeles today.

Twenty golfers became millionaires on the European tour this year – in this season alone.

In-coming European tour chief executive George O’Grady today described as “extraordinary” the pressure being put on world number two Ernie Els to play more events in America.

Padraig Harrington, famous for the number of second places he has had in his career, will happily settle for another this week.

Adam Scott has missed the cut on three of his four British Open appearances, but feels there is no time like the present to claim his first major title.

Padraig Harrington is hoping a chest infection and cold do not hinder his chances when he begins the defence of one of the European tour’s richest titles tomorrow.

The European golf tour has returned to the St Leon Rot club in Heidelberg this week – but the man who has triumphed in the three previous tour events there has not.

England’s David Lynn has given himself a chance to join the European Tour’s ‘Millionaires Club’ this weekend in real style – by winning his first title.

Michael Campbell will try to put a nightmare season in America behind him when defends his title in the Smurfit European Open at The K Club tomorrow.

There will be no clash between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, the world’s top two players, in Germany next week.

Padraig Harrington has it in his power this weekend to ensure that Europe’s record of always having at least one player in the world’s top 10 is maintained.

Darren Clarke achieved his first objective today as he continued his search for the form he hopes will help Europe win back the Ryder Cup next week.

Four months away from his 45th birthday, Nick Faldo made the world of golf sit up and take notice of him again today.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington has made a bright start on the first day of the Players’ Championship in Florida today.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington has made a bright start to the Players' Championship in the United States.

Seve Ballesteros will be without three star players when he leads the Continent of Europe against Britain and Ireland in the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen near Dublin next month.

It is not only Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie who are longing for that winning feeling to return.

Colin Montgomerie is glad he gets abuse from some American fans because it means he is still a threat for major titles.

Bernhard Langer has slammed as ‘‘ridiculous’’ the hole or rather the green where this week’s US Open could be won or lost.

Sergio Garcia said thanks to Tiger Woods today - and then spoke of how he hopes to show at the US Open this week that he really is getting closer to him.