Padraig Harrington has had eye surgery to remove two non-malignant melanomas from around his right eye.
However, the Irishman is teeing up at the Buick Invitational in San Diego today, despite last week’s operation.
"I had them looked at just before Christmas and had them cut out 10 days ago," said the three-time Major winner.
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Even though the 37-year-old is staying in America for the next month, he seems likely to miss the CA World Championship in Miami on 12-15 March as he concentrates on his final preparations for the US Masters in April.
"I'm unlikely to play Doral," he admitted. "I'm not fully committed at the moment, but it looks like I'll take a three-week break there and go home and work on things.
"Usually I peak in my third week, so I look to put the Majors the third week.
"I'd love to play all the best tournaments but you've got to schedule these things for what works best to help you peak when you need to."
Harrington will be bidding to win his third straight Major at Augusta National after clinching The Open Championship and USPGA last year, although the likelihood is that Tiger Woods will be back to put a halt to the Irishman’s recent dominance.
Where next?
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