Rory McIlroy makes it official, pulls out of British Open
Rory McIlroy made it official on Wednesday, announcing he will not play in next week’s British Open at St. Andrews.
In a post to Instagram, McIlroy said in part, “After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews. 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.”
Russell Knox replaces McIlroy in the field.
McIlroy suffered a total rupture of the ATFL ligament on his left ankle while playing soccer with friends on July 4. McIlroy’s camp had indicated there was a “10 percent chance” of the world No. 1 teeing it up at the Old Course at the Home of Golf. He had withdrawn from this week’s scheduled start at the Scottish Open.
The Ulsterman is yet to provide a loose timetable for his recovery from the injury, while speculative doctors have suggested a range of a couple of weeks to several months.
McIlroy will be the first Open champion since Ben Hogan in 1954 not to defend the Claret Jug.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
