Harrington facing knee surgery before US Open

Padraig Harrington has revealed that he will undergo keyhole surgery on his right knee - just 23 days before the US Open at Pebble Beach.

The Dubliner, 38, has been bothered by a knee injury he picked up playing five-a-side soccer with friends at Christmas.

As a result, he has cancelled plans to add Celtic Manor Wales Open to his schedule and opted to undergo surgery to repair a tear in the cartilage in his right knee on Tuesday, May 25.

Harrington said: “I had intended to play the Wales Open at Celtic Manor in a few weeks time, as I like the golf course and felt that I would be competitive. 

“However, I hadn’t committed to do so as I wanted to get the opinion of my doctor on a knee injury I picked up whilst playing football at Christmas. 

“After two MRIs and a second consultation, my doctor has advised having a minor procedure in the very near future to prevent the issue developing. 

“I will have the operation shortly after the BMW PGA Championship on Tuesday 25th May and therefore, given the two week healing period advised, will unfortunately not be able to play the Wales Open. 

“I will return for the St Jude Classic, which takes place during the week commencing 7 June, followed by the US Open a week later.”

Harrington injured himself playing football with friends during the off-season.

At the time, he explained: “I played five-a-side soccer and my papillios muscle has stopped working since that so I haven’t been doing masses of training.

“I had just one game of five-a-side. It was fine but the muscle shut down after that. It’s the one from the calf up into the knee.

“Let’s say I wouldn’t want to do a lot of squats and I can’t do a lot of chasing – I’ve played more hide-and-seek with the kids than tag. But it hasn’t affected me swinging the club.”