THE OPEN RELATED STORIES The Open Home Page The Open Scores Round 4: Harrington defends Open title Round 4: Ian Poulter impresses with second place Round 4: Greg Norman proud of achievement Round 4: Henrik Stenson happy with best finish Round 3: Norman takes a two shot lead Round 2: KJ Choi edges a shot clear at halfway Round 1: Late starters share first round lead Course Guide: Royal Birkdale 2008 European Tour Schedule Open Champions 1860-2007 Tee Times and Pairings Prize Fund/Purse Open Championship scoring and other records Open Championship quotes - Wise and witty words about golf's oldest Championship Wind the biggest threat at Royal Birkdale Injuries aboud around the 137th Open Without Tiger many look to score Major success Unhappy John Daly back at The Open Kenny Perry defends absence Justin Rose returns to scene of 1998 drama Padraig Harrington still a doubt Sergio Garcia favourite for The Open Tiger Woods the hot topic of conversation Lee Westwood praises Royal Birkdale Graeme McDowell looking to continue good form Players puzzled by Kenny Perry's absence Wrist worry for Padraig Harrington Phil Mickelson dodges the Tiger factor Green Royal Birkdale greets players Open not devalued by Tiger absence says O'Meara Furyk confident of better Royal Birkdale fortunes Phil Mickelson confident of adding to Major tally Luke Donald out of Open with wrist injury Justin Rose looking forward not back 137th Open Championship Summary GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Huge savings on Festive gifts! A golf break in France - just £89! Half Price Golf Vouchers Take 10 shots off your scores! Best Value Golf Insurance

Injury bonus for Padraig Harrington

Champion Padraig Harrington believes the wrist he injured in the build-up to this week’s British Open has been a boost to his title defence rather than a hindrance.

The Irishman jarred his right wrist on an ‘impact bag’ while training in the gym last week and was unable to put in any serious practice before Thursday’s opening round.

“Good for me was the fact I only played nine holes before the tournament started,” Harrington told reporters after moving into a tie for second in Saturday’s third round at Birkdale.

“The 54 holes would probably feel like 108 but at least I didn’t tire myself out on the Tuesday and Wednesday.

“When it’s windy like today, you battle one hole, one shot at a time. At the end of the day, it’s sometimes hard to remember what you did earlier in the round.”

The Irishman carded a two-over-par 72 in brutal conditions at Birkdale where gale-force winds gusted up to 72-kph (45-mph).

He birdied two of the last four holes to post a four-over total of 214, level with South Korean K.J. Choi and two behind the leader Greg Norman.

Asked how he would feel if the weather stayed the same in Sunday’s final round, links course fan Harrington replied: “I’d look forward to that challenge.

“If it was high winds, it would probably give me my best chance of winning. Having said that, a guy can go from leading, or close to leading, right out of the tournament.

“It’s easy to go out and have a day like David (Duval) and not play too badly and for everything to go against you. But certainly it would give me the best chance of winning.”

Former world number one Duval, Harrington’s playing partner on Saturday, battled to an 83.