Rory McIlroy Ruptures Ankle Ligaments Playing Football
'Rehab already started. Working hard to get back as soon as I can'
Rory McIlroy's hopes of defending the Open Championship have been plunged into severe doubt, after the world No1 ruptured ankle ligaments playing football at the weekend.
McIlroy posted a photo on social media on Monday morning, showing him on crutches and with a protective cast over his left foot. The Northern Irishman wrote: "Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday. (Spieth vs Mcllroy: Golf's Newest Rivalry)
"Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment plan day by day. Rehab already started. Working hard to get back as soon as I can." (Also Read: Tiger Woods Wants to Win Back Ex-Wife)
Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout... https://t.co/xpfDpsW38k
- Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) July 6, 2015
All that is missing is the inevitable confirmation that McIlroy won't play in this week's Scottish Open at Gullane. The bigger and more significant picture relates to next week's Open at St Andrews, which McIlroy is due to feature in as the holder of the Claret Jug. Only weeks later, he is scheduled to play in the US PGA Championship, also as defending champion. (Tiger Woods Tumbles Out of US Open)
McIlroy is obviously desperate to feature at the Old Course and will undergo intense treatment in the coming days. The golfer's personal trainer, Dr Steve McGregor, is also a qualified physiotherapist. For now, a McIlroy appearance in Fife isn't being ruled out, as optimistic as that may seem. He will undergo further scans on the injury as swelling eases off in the next 48 hours. (Rory Settles Case With Former Agents)
This isn't the first time McIlroy has injured his ankle on a football field. On 23 December 2013, he suffered an albeit less acute problem when having a game with friends in Belfast. "I was off my ankle for about a week over New Year," McIlroy later revealed.
The Royal & Ancient Club and people with tickets for the Open will be amongst those perturbed by the McIlroy news. Not only is the 26-year-old's game perfectly suited to St Andrews but the golf world has been gripped by the prospect of a direct rivalry between McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, the world No2 who has won the first two major championships of 2015.