Harrington thumbs-up for Valderrama

THE THUMB injury sustained by Pádraig Harrington in the World Matchplay has almost fully healed and he is in good shape going into this week's Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Harrington won the prestigious event in 2001, but it was played then at Montecastillo near Jerez.

The Masters has since returned to its spiritual home at Valderrama, and that's a different proposition for Harrington as he has never done well there. The best he recalls is fifth in the American Express WGC in 2000 and even that was mainly due to a good first round. He has, however, arrived in Spain on the back of a week off and a series of excellent performances, highlighted by victories in the German Masters and the Ryder Cup.