Padraig Harrington targets May return after opting to undergo surgery
Tuesday 14 March 2017 17:53, UK
Image:Padraig Harrington suffered a trapped nerve at the end of last season
Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has opted to undergo neck surgery in a bid to be fit for the Open's return to Royal Birkdale in July.
Harrington had hoped to avoid going under the knife after suffering from a trapped nerve since the end of last season, but announced his decision on social media on Tuesday.
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At Royal Birkdale in 2008, Harrington became the first European to make a successful defence of the Open since James Braid in 1906.
Image:Harrington became the first European in over a century to retain the Claret Jug
Speaking last month, the 45-year-old had expressed concern about the potential timescale for his recovery.
"The only issue I have is if I delay surgery, thinking I'm getting better, and then I end up having to have surgery in May or something like that," he said.
