The 26-year-old Northern Irishman incurred a major ankle injury over the weekend whilst playing soccer.
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“Naturally, I am disappointed for Rory as everyone is barracking for Rory as he’s in the prime of his career and he would have had a great chance to win at St Andrews”.
Gullane – Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from next week’s British Open at St Andrews after failing to recover from an ankle injury he sustained playing soccer.
Rory McIlroy announced on Wednesday through an Instagram post that he will not be competing in the British Open.
On Monday he wrote on Instagram: “Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage”. But that day-by-day assessment only confirmed that the injury was not of a minor nature and would require more time to heal, especially given that an early return to the course could actually lead to further complications with the injury in the future. “Rehab already started… Working hard to get back as soon as I can”. The decision, though, will prompt huge disappointment for the world number one. It is unclear where and when McIlroy will be seen in a competitive context again.
Fellow American Phil Mickelson, who won the Open at nearby Muirfield the year before McIlroy’s triumph, concurred saying that he had undergone a similar fate in 1994.
“Rory is really up against it to play in the Open”, the Englishman explained. Although recent history won’t point in a positive direction for golfers outside of the top 50 in the world rankings, as no golfer ranked 50 or lower has won a major in the last 14 tournaments.
FILE – In this Friday, May 15, 2015 file photo, Russell Knox watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C..
McIlroy will be “gutted” to miss out next week, as indicated by Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell. But it’s a massive blow for the tournament, he’s the world’s number one player. Spieth’s odds of winning the Grand Slam also lowered on Sportsbook to 20-to-1 (he’s 2-to-1 to win one of the next two). I saw the golf course last Saturday.
“Anything involving water relaxes me, so maybe spearfishing – that’s probably the most James Bond, daredevil thing I get up to”.
“He’s the kind of guy that if he practised 24/7 he’d get too much in his own head and that’s not going to help him”.
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McIlroy is the first champion not to defend the Claret Jug since 1954.
