McIlroy Suffers Ankle Injury Playing Soccer


While playing soccer with friends on Saturday Rory McIlroy ruptured a ligament in his left ankle.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman, the top-ranked player in golf, was slated to play in this week's Scottish Open as a tune-up to the Open Championship, which starts a week later on the Old Course at St. Andrews.

His spokesman, Sean O'Flaherty, said McIlroy would miss the Scottish Open at Gullane. O'Flaherty added he wasn't sure whether McIlroy would be able to play at St. Andrews. An injury in the anterior talofibular ligament can take anywhere from 10 days to six weeks to heal.

"Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment play day by day," McIlroy wrote in a post. "Rehab already started.....Working hard to get back as soon as I can."

McIlroy also put up a photo on Instagram showing his leg in a boot as he balanced on crutches.

Jordan Spieth has won the year's first two majors - the Masters and U.S. Open - and will head to Scotland in search of the third leg in the fabled Grand Slam.

Of the injury, Luke Donald told The Associated Press, "Unlucky, obviously. 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."