Pádraig Harrington to play in Irish Open despite injury woe

Pádraig Harrington insisted he will be fit to play in next week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down as he chases qualification for next month’s US Open, despite withdrawing injured at Wentworth yesterday.

The three-time major champion, back in the winner’s enclosure this season following victory at the Honda Classic in Florida two months ago, was forced out of the BMW PGA Championship with a shoulder problem as he played the third hole of his opening round.

Harrington, 43, had been a doubt to start the European Tour’s flagship tournament after “upsetting” the infraspinatus in his left shoulder during a gym session on Tuesday.