Harrington confident of quick recovery from knee surgery

Padraig Harrington does not believe he’s putting his US Open chances at risk by having knee surgery next week.

The Dubliner, 38, will have keyhole surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his right knee following this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The operation will be carried out by surgeon David Moore at the Blackrock Clinic on May 25 - just 23 days before the start of the US Open at Pebble Beach.

And while Harrington will now miss the Celtic Manor Wales Open, he’s confident he will be back for the St Jude Classic in Memphis the week before the season’s second major.

Harrington said: “There’s little risk to the operation and I’m well prehabed already. Rugby players have had the same procedure and played again 10 days later.

“It’s a tear in the cartilage in my right knee that I picked up playing football at Christmas. 

“It has no current effect on my golf bar the fact that I can’t squat on it when reading putts. 

“But it effects my training and obviously I don’t want it to get worse.”

Harrington had hoped to play in the Wales Open at Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor from June 3-6.

But has been told by his doctor that he will need two weeks to heal after his operation, which takes place tomorrow week.

He said: “I couldn’t give a full commitment to Welsh Open until I saw the doctor. It’s a pity because I liked my chances on the course.

“After two MRIs and a second consultation, my doctor advised having a minor procedure to prevent the issue developing.”