McIlroy injures ankle while playing soccer
Published 4:00 am Tuesday, July 7, 2015
- A Sunday, June 21, file photo of Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watching his tee shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. World number one Rory McIlroy has ruptured a ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer less than before the start of his British Open title defense. The Northern Irish golfer gave no indication how long he would be out in the announcement Monday on his Instagram account, only saying that he is “working hard to get back as soon as I can.”
LONDON (AP) — Rory McIlroy was on crutches Monday with an ankle injury from playing soccer, leaving in doubt the prospects of golf’s No. 1 player defending his British Open title next week at St. Andrews.
Just as excitement was building toward a potential clash at the Old Course between McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, McIlroy posted a jarring photo on Instagram showing him on crutches with a walking boot on this left ankle. The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland said it was a “total rupture” of an ankle ligament and the joint capsule that happened while he was playing soccer with friends.
Sean O’Flaherty, his chief spokesman, said McIlroy has withdrawn from the Scottish Open this week at Gullane. O’Flaherty said they would not know until later in the week the extent of the injury and whether McIlroy would be able to tee it up July 16 at St. Andrews.
Ben Hogan in 1954 was the last British Open champion who did not play the following year.
McIlroy had been the joint favorite along with Spieth. They have won the last four majors — the first time in nearly a century that two players in their 20s have shared four successive majors — and Spieth is headed to St. Andrews as only the fourth player with a chance at the Grand Slam.
Players were shocked to hear the news.
“Unlucky, obviously,” Luke Donald said in a telephone interview. “I would never say, ‘Don’t play football or don’t do these thing.’ You don’t want to live in a bubble. It’s just unlucky timing, especially this time of the year. Golf is exciting with Rory and Jordan. It’s added a bit of spice to the game. It’s a shame if Rory were to miss the Open, which it looks like he might.”
