The No. 1 golfer in the world is unlikely to participate in the British Open – the third major tournament of the season – on July 16.
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“Total rupture of left ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday”, McIlroy tweeted.
His caption read, “Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment plan day by day”.
If that kind of prognosis proves accurate, McIlroy could be out for much longer yet, and could well miss August’s PGA Championship as well.
Now Spieth’s odds to make a run at winning a third major in the same calendar year seem to have improved dramatically with the announcement of McIlroy’s injury.
Ex- Open champion Ian Baker-Finch also offered his support, posting: “So sorry to hear the awful news”.
“Unlucky, obviously”, Luke Donald said in a telephone interview. If the ankle is very loose and badly swollen, I can’t imagine him walking around for miles for four rounds. Its just unlucky timing, especially this time of the year. Golf is exciting with Rory and Jordan. “Fast and healthy recover”. The left ankle is crucial in a golf swing as weight transfers to that side of the body (for right-handers) in generating power.
“That’s a big blow to the Open if he misses it”, ex- Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance said in a news statement today.
If McIlroy’s rehab stretches into next season, or if he returns too soon and plays poorly, he may not have a high enough ranking to qualify for the Rio Olympics. Spieth has an opportunity to win all four majors in the same year-the Grand Slam-a feat accomplished only once in the history of the game by Bobby Jones.
Woods was determined to play in that major because it was at Torrey Pines, one of his favorite courses on tour.
Lowry believes that McIlroy shouldn’t be criticized for picking up the injury in a kick around with his friends.
According to the story on espn.com, it’s not known if McIlroy would be ready for the Open Championship, scheduled to begin July 16th at St. Andrews.
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Shane Lowry of Ireland told the Irish Times that he heard about the injury on Saturday. The 26-year-old has finished in the top-11 in his past seven events, including victories at the WGC Match Play in April and the Wells Fargo Championship in May. What’s wrong with that?… People think because youre good at something you should just do that and focus on that, but thats not what life is about.McIlroy has an affinity with the Old Course.
