Advertisement

McIlroy to miss Open Championship with ankle injury

By The Sports Xchange
Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed birdie putt on the 15th hole during the fourth round of the 115th U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay on June 21, 2015 in University Place, Washington. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed birdie putt on the 15th hole during the fourth round of the 115th U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay on June 21, 2015 in University Place, Washington. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Rory McIlroy won't be back to defend his title in the British Open after rupturing the ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer.

McIlroy made the announcement Wednesday on Instagram.

Advertisement

"After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews," the world's No. 1 player wrote. "I'm taking a long term view of this injury and, although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100 percent healthy and 100 percent competitive. Thank you for all your support and best wishes. I hope to be back on the course as soon as I can. ... In the mean time, come on Andy!!!

McIlroy was referring to tennis star Andy Murray, who won Wednesday to advance to the Wimbledon semifinals.

On Monday, McIlroy announced that he suffered a total rupture of his ATFL (the anterior talofibular ligament and the one most commonly sprained) in his ankle while playing soccer with friends Saturday. McIlroy posted a photograph on Instagram with his leg in a boot as he balanced on crutches.

Advertisement

McIlroy won the Open Championship by two strokes and lifted the Claret Jug last year at Royal Liverpool after taking a six-shot lead into the final round. He also won the PGA Championship in 2014.

The Open released a statement via Twitter regarding the news of McIlroy's withdrawal.

"We are naturally very disappointed that Rory will be unable to defend his title at St. Andrews next week," the R&A said in the statement. "Rory will play in many more Open Championships and our primary concern is for his complete recovery. Everyone associated with The Open wishes Rory the very best as he looks to return to full fitness."

McIlroy will be the first player to not defend his Open title since Ben Hogan in 1954.

McIlroy and Jordan Spieth have won the last four majors, with Spieth winning the Masters and U.S. Open this year to rise to world No. 2. Spieth, by winning two of the four legs so far in 2015, is just the fourth player in golf history to enter the British Open with a shot at the modern Grand Slam in the same year.

Advertisement

McIlroy's absence makes Spieth the clear favorite at St. Andrews.

"We want him back. Everybody does," Spieth said Tuesday as he prepared for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. "It's unlucky, it's unfortunate, and I'm sure he's taking it harder on himself than anybody else. But I don't think he did anything wrong, it was just an unfortunate situation. And hopefully, he rebounds quickly and gets back right to where he was."

Latest Headlines