Papadatos in share of third, despite wrist tendonitis

Dimitrios Papadatos
Dimitrios Papadatos
By rights, Dimitrios Papadatos should not even be lining up at the New Zealand Open.

A few hours before the start of the tournament, Papadatos was sure he had little chance of playing at Millbrook and The Hills.

The 2014 New Zealand Open champion is suffering from tendonitis in his right wrist and had real trouble with his swing.

Just hours before playing on Thursday, he thought he was a goner.

"My caddie and I were having breakfast in the hotel room and I said to him `I don't know really know why we are really bothering going out','' he said.

"But I said we will go to the physio and see how we will go. I took a few painkillers, probably one or two too many.

"Probably because it was later in the afternoon, I was a bit more warmed up than when I had my practice round in the morning. I'm a bit soft, too, so I just had to get out there.''

He certainly did and after a steady 4-under 68 at The Hills on Thursday he hit a 5-under 66 at Millbrook yesterday, hitting five birdies and no bogeys to finish the second round on 9-under and a share of third.

He had played just two holes in the practice round on Wednesday and said the injury was hindering him at the top of his swing and in impact.

It came from soreness in the elbow which had spread down to his wrist.

Getting back into contention was a huge buzz for Papadatos (27) and the Australian is keen to get involved in the last two days.

"When I thought I was not playing the other night at the Champions dinner and seeing all the names and he history behind it and the 100th time so there is a bit more on the line this week.

"So to win would be extra special.''

He said with the fine weather forecast for the next two days he would be keen to play on The Hills, for which he has a real liking.

He won the Open in 2014 at The Hills by two shots and is keen for a repeat.

Add a Comment