Molinari reveals his wrist woes

Ryder Cup-winning Edoardo Molinari is facing surgery later this year on an injured left wrist.

After finishing with a share of 11th place in Sunday’s Andalucian Open, Molinari revealed that he has been carrying the injury for some four years. However it was not until after returning home from the recent Middle East ‘Desert Swing’ that the 31-year-old Molinari learnt the extent of the injury.

“The first time I felt pain in my wrist was four years ago when I had tendinitis, but after seeing doctors I’ve been informed some of the cartilage on top of my wrist has become firm and it needs to be removed,” the Italian said. “I had six weeks off over the winter, but when I went out to the Middle East I knew something was wrong with my wrist as it became very painful.”

Molinari, who had two cortisone injections on his return from the Middle East, said: “I can wait till around September to have the operation so I will see how it goes through the year. Luckily I’m not doing any more damage by playing, but if it does get too painful I will have the operation earlier.”

Molinari earned a captain’s pick from 2010 European captain Colin Montgomerie by winning the final qualifying event for the 2010 Ryder Cup, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. For now, Molinari is more concerned for his wrist than thoughts of qualifying for Jose Maria’s European Team at this year’s Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in September.

Meanwhile, Japanese player Ryo Ishikawa has decided to take special temporary membership on the PGA Tour, which allows him to accept as many sponsor exemptions as he wants for the rest of the 2012 season.