• European Tour

Harrington set for knee operation

ESPN staff
May 18, 2010
The PGA Championship will be Padraig Harrington's last event before he has knee surgery © Getty Images
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Padraig Harrington has confirmed he will be heading for a knee operation upon the completion of the BMW PGA Championship.

The Irishman has been bothered by pain in his right knee for some time and has been advised to have surgery to ensure the problem does not escalate. The procedure has been described as minor and will enable Harrington to return fit and well for the US Open at the end of June.

"I wanted to get the opinion of my doctor on a knee injury I picked up whilst playing football at Christmas," Harrington said. "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 on Tuesday and will return for the St Jude Classic.

"It is no big deal and is not giving me any problem now. It is my right knee, if it was my left it would be a lot different."

The operation rules Harrington out of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, but the Irishman insists his health comes before a trip to the host venue for the Ryder Cup.

He said: "If I wait until the end of the year, the doctor feels it could cause some arthritic problems. If I can have it cleared up now it reduces the chance.

"So it's just a precautionary thing. Plus it's my right knee, so I'm not so dependent on it playing golf.

"I can't really do much about it. This is something that's affecting my career if I don't get it done. In fairness to the doctor, he would have done it before The Masters if it was up to him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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