09 July,2015 07:52 AM IST | | AFP
Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from next week’s British Open at St Andrews after failing to recover from an ankle injury he sustained playing football.
Rory McIlroy
Gullane (United Kingdom): Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from next week's British Open at St Andrews after failing to recover from an ankle injury he sustained playing football.
"After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St Andrews," the world number one said yesterday on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
"I'm taking a long term view of this injury and, although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100% healthy and 100% competitive.
"Thank you for all your support and best wishes. I hope to be back on the course as soon as I can."
The Northern Irishman had been due to be the defending champion at St Andrews having won last year's Open at Hoylake.
