World No1 Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will not defend his Open Championship title next week.
McIlroy revealed on Monday that he had suffered a “total rupture” of the anterior talofibular ligament in his left ankle while playing football with friends.
The 26-year-old pulled out of this week’s Scottish Open at Gullane and although he initially did not rule himself out of competing at St Andrews, the four-time major winner said on Wednesday he was taking a “long-term view” of the injury.
“After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St Andrews,” McIlroy wrote on Instagram.
“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…In the mean time, come on Andy!!!”
That was a reference to McIlroy’s friend Andy Murray, who could be seen in the Instagram post on television playing his Wimbledon quarter-final as McIlroy watched with his foot in the air, but out of the protective boot he was pictured wearing on Monday.
The Open organisers, Royal & Ancient (R&A), released a state- ment expressing their disappointment on losing their defending champion and the world No1.
“We are naturally very disappointed that Rory will be unable to defend his title at St Andrews next week,” R&A posted on their Twitter feed.
“Rory will play in many more Open Championships and our primary concern is for his complete recovery. Everyone associated with The Open wishes Rory the very best as he looks to return to full fitness.”
McIlroy will become only the third player in the past four decades to be unable to defend a major title.
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He joins Tiger Woods (2008 PGA Championship because of a knee injury) and Payne Stewart (2000 US Open, following his death in a plane crash).
McIlroy’s defence of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in five weeks’ time is also in serious jeopardy as the 26-year-old could face months on the sidelines.
Andrew Roche, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at The Lister Hospital in London, said: “If it is a high-grade injury, a complete rupture, there would almost certainly be a lot of swelling, a lot of bruising and it would be painful.
“Everyone is different and it very much depends on the severity but it could mean he will be out of action for three months.”
McIlroy’s fellow professional Richie Ramsay also fears the worst, writing on Twitter: “I had a full tear of ligaments in my ankle not long ago. It takes a lot longer than you think to heal. Three months until I played after tearing ligaments and even then getting my foot to work the right way was tough.”
After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews. I’m… https://t.co/G6nYJPcD9e
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) July 8, 2015
McIlroy is the first player not to defend his Open title since Ben Hogan in 1954 – Hogan won the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1953 in his only appearance in the event.
Scotland’s Russell Knox, who was first reserve, replaces McIlroy in the field at St Andrews.
McIlroy, who was scheduled to tee off in the last group in next Wednesday’s Champion Golfers’ Challenge, will not be part of the celebratory event.
His absence means that 28 Open champions, past and present, will take part in the four-hole event on the eve of the 144th Open.
Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A, said: “We have been privileged to watch these great players competing in The Open over the last 60 years and they have given us tremendous enjoyment in that time.
“I am sure this will be a hugely memorable occasion for players and spectators alike.”
The teams will compete on the first, second, 17th and 18th holes for a prize of £100,000 (Dh563,000) which will be donated to a charity of their choice. The best individual score per team on each hole will count as the team score.
The field includes Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, but Jack Nicklaus is not playing.
