Ankle injury puts McIlroy’s Open defence in doubt
LONDON — 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 photo on Instagram showing him on crutches with a walking boot on his 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Sean O’Flaherty, his chief spokesman, said McIlroy has withdrawn from the Scottish Open this week at Gullane.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 favourite along with Spieth. They have won the last four majors combined — 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 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 things.’ 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.”
Sergio Garcia, a runner-up to McIlroy at Royal Liverpool last year, tweeted, “So sad to hear about Rory McIlroy injury on his ankle. We will all miss you at The Open next week my friend. Fast and healthy recovery.”
McIlroy referred to his ATFL, which is the anterior talofibular ligament and the one most commonly sprained. The left ankle is crucial for right-handers in a golf swing as weight transfers to that side of the body in generating power.