With U.S. Presidents Cup team member Hunter Mahan pulling out of the Australian Open with a sore right shoulder, PGA champ Keegan Bradley may want to book a flight to Sydney, Australia -- just in case.
A day after playing partner John Daly quit the Aussie event in the middle of the first round, Mahan complained of shoulder pain while warming up prior to his second round on Friday, according to the Associated Press. Shortly thereafter, Mahan, who was 1-over after shooting a 73 on The Lakes Golf Club on Thursday, informed officials he was packing it in.
Bradley, whom many observers believed captain Fred Couples should have chosen with one of his two wild-card options, would substitute if any member of the U.S. team had to bow out. An ongoing neck injury that causes weakness in his left arm has kept Steve Stricker on the bench since the Tour Championship at the end of September, although Tiger Woods’ 2009 Prez Cup partner has said he intended to play next week in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Woods was making Couples look like a genius. The captain's controversial first choice for his Melbourne team had five birdies in his first nine holes on Friday. After starting his round on the 10th, Woods made the turn with the outright lead, at 9-under for the tourney.
Mahan told the AP he has had soreness before, but usually behind the left shoulder. The pain he began having Wednesday night lessened during Thursday’s first round but forced him out of the event during practice Friday morning.
"It came on Wednesday night, and Thursday it wasn't great," Mahan told the news service. "Today was the worst it has been. The more I keep swinging, the worse it gets. But I don't see this being a long-term problem for next week."
Like Stricker, Mahan said he expected to play next week in the biennial matches with Greg Norman’s International squad. He did, however, suggest that Couples -- in this week’s field as well -- might want to check in with Bradley.
“If Fred has to call, then...,” Mahan said.
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