Padraig Harrington has decided not to participate in next weeks PGA Championship in San Francisco.
Harrington and Italian Edoardo Molinari both withdrew on Thursday from Championship that Harrington famously won in 2008. The event will be the first of three majors to take place this year.
Announcing his decision not to travel to the US on Facebook, Harrington said;
After much deliberation, I have decided not to travel to next week's PGA Championship.
As Covid-19 currently looks to be under control in Ireland, I am taking the prudent approach by following the guidelines and reducing the risk as much as possible by staying at home.
I'm sure I'll be watching every shot on TV with great interest and hopefully I'll have many more years to play in the PGA Championship.
Harrington's decision means he is still yet to take part in the PGA Tour since the golf returned in June. Harrington will be replaced by Troy Merritt while Taylor Gooch will replace Molinari in the 156-man field, according to the PGA Tour. Thomas Pieters had previously elected not to compete and will be replaced by Harold Varner III. Lee Westwood and Eddie Peppernell have also refused their place in the field.
Harrington is guaranteed entry to every PGA Championship without needing to qualify as the 2008 PGA champion.
