Pádraig Harrington continues his bid to regain full fitness at the Mexico Open at Vidanta as a host of top names give this event the swerve.
The Dubliner spent the winter battling pneumonia and a collapsed lung and has found the return to competitive action tough, struggling with fatigue in his appearances on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour Champions.
Harrington is part of a depleted field that includes much of Latin America’s rising talent is led by defending champion Tony Finau and Ryder Cuppers Nicolai Højgaard and Robert MacIntyre.
The three-time major champions tees it up alongside fellow Open champion, Francesco Molinari and Peter Malnati.
“So, yeah, the energy just isn’t there. I played two in the Middle East, here for one, and then play two on the PGA TOUR, and probably another Champions Tour, another couple of PGA TOUR events,” Harrington said in an update on his fitness.
American star Finau has a terrific record at this event coming off a win last year after a T2 finish in its first edition in 2022.
Finau averages 64.83 in eight rounds here and hasn’t missed a cut on the PGA Tour this season and arrives following a top-20 at the Genesis Invitational last week.
“It’s awesome. We love this place. I said it last year after we left, our family’s really fallen in love with this place,” Finau said.
“And to be back defending this year is pretty special. We’re really happy to be back, I’m really happy to be back on a golf course that I love. Just everything about this place, the people, the food, Vidanta’s a pretty magical spot. Last year, to be able to just win the golf tournament with my family here was extremely special. It’s nice to be back and looking to defend this year as well.”
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