Tired Harrington skips Hong Kong Open

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON last night played down a news agency report that he had withdrawn at the last minute from the Hong Kong Open and left the tournament, which gets under way tomorrow, in the lurch.

The agency report alleged: “Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington has pulled out of the UBS Hong Kong Open at the last minute, organisers said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to the $1.2 million-dollar (€1.01m) tournament.

“The 2003 champion, beaten in a play-off by Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez in last year’s final, gave no reason for his withdrawal late on Monday, they said.