Padraig Harrington might not get a chance to defend his British Open title.

The Irish golfer is dealing with a sprained right wrist and cut short his practice session Wednesday, raising questions as to whether he'll be ready to tee off in the opening round Thursday.

"I can't say honestly at this moment," Harrington said when asked if he'll play.

Harrington managed just three shots on the Royal Birkdale Course in Southport, England, before deciding calling it a day because of the pain in his wrist.

"When I hit that first six-iron off the fairway, it hurt," Harrington said. "When I went back and hit the driver again, that hurt."

The Irishman did walk the rest of the back nine, but he limited himself to chipping and putting.

Thus far, Harrington has gotten in only nine holes of practice since hurting his wrist Saturday during a practice session.

Last year, Harrington became the first Irishman to win the British Open in 60 years when he defeated Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff.

With files from Associated Press