Injury forces Els out of Grand Slam; replaced by Harrington

• By Will Gray
• Oct 20, 2012 2:41 PM ET

An ankle injury has forced 2012 British Open champion Ernie Els to withdraw from next week's PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The South African will be replaced in the four-man field by three-time major winner Padraig Harrington.

"I am bitterly disappointed not to be able to make the PGA Grand Slam of Golf," explained Els, who won the Grand Slam in 1997 and 2010. "Unfortunately I sprained my left ankle a few days ago and while it isn't too serious and I should recover relatively quickly, I have been advised not to try and play on it."

Harrington, who won the British Open in 2007 and 2008 in addition to his 2008 PGA Championship title, will head to Bermuda for the first time in four years. He gained entry into the field after the first two alternates, Graeme McDowell and Tiger Woods, were unavailable.

"I am thrilled to return to Bermuda," the Irishman noted. "While my entry into the field is under unique circumstances, I am excited to compete in the event again."

Harrington will be joined at the Port Royal Golf Course by Masters champion Bubba Watson and U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson. Keegan Bradley, who won the Grand Slam event a year ago, was named a replacement for PGA champion Rory McIlroy last month and will round out the exclusive field. The 36-hole event will take place Oct. 23-24, with the winner taking home $600,000 from a $1.35 million purse.