Harrington excluded with broken bones in the wrist

Padraig Harrington hopes to start at Peeble Beach in early 2019

The third big winner Padraig Harrington will be out of action until next month after he has broken a bone in his wrist.

The 47-year-old Dubliner will miss European Tour events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai later this month.

Harrington is now setting a first performance of the season at the AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Ben on 7-10 February.

He is the odds-on favorite to become the European Ryder Cup captain for the 2020 race in Whistling Straits.

"During the Christmas period I discovered that I had broken a bone in my wrist," Harrington said on his website.

"I walked down the stairs in mid-December.

" While it continues to heal, I have to keep it in a splint for a while, so frustratingly, I'll have the first two planned events of my season in Abu Dhabi and Dubai must be missed.

"However, I should be completely fit for the AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-am at the PGA Tour in early February."