Phil Mickelson defended Rory McIlroy after the world number one’s ruptured ankle ligaments ruled him out of The Open.
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McIlroy is the first player not to defend his Open title since Ben Hogan in 1954 – Hogan won the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1953 in his only appearance in the event.
“I said then, and I feel the same way now, you can not live your life in fear”, he said.
Spieth is one of several players who have come to McIlroy’s defense after the usual social media “storm” questioning the wisdom of him playing soccer on an artificial pitch so close to the Open.
The photo Rory McIlroy posted to Instagram on Wednesday shows his feet up, a black air cast around his left ankle, as he watches Wimbledon on television.
He is also a serious doubt for the defence of his Open Championship crown next week at St Andrews and there has been some criticism that he acted unprofessionally in playing what he called “a kickabout” at such a crucial stage of the golfing year.
Tournament officials reacted to McIlroy’s withdrawal from The Open by releasing a statement on their official Twitter feed.
“It’s a tough question, before a major championship…it’s probably the last time he does play football in the middle of season”, said Rose, who is back at Gullane to defend his Scottish Open title. 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”. The 133-year-old course is a short walk from British Open venue Muirfield, and this year’s event is being played over a composite of the club’s No. 1 and No. 2 courses, totaling 7,133 yards (6,524 meters) for a par 70. With the fun rivalry going on and everything, he’s going to be gutted.
Still to be determined is how long the ankle injury keeps McIlroy out of golf.
“I’m sure he’s really disappointed”. But I dont think he did anything wrong, it was just an unfortunate situation.
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Park is back atop the rankings for the third time in her career and leads the LPGA Tour with three wins this season. Nobody wants to get in because someone got injured but I am happy I am in the field and can’t wait to give it a blast.
Tiger Woods is the only other No. 1 player to miss a major championship – the British Open and PGA Championship in 2008 recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, and the Masters previous year when he had surgery on his back.
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“I have been in the United Kingdom since Saturday morning and spent a few days in Dublin and had a great time and I am looking forward to these couple of weeks.”
