Rory McIlroy is questionable at best for the 144th Open Championship next week at St. Andrews after rupturing a ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer with friends over the weekend.
McIlroy posted a picture of himself on crutches with his left foot and ankle in a walking boot, and also released a statement on Instagram.
“Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday,” McIlroy wrote. “Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment plan day by day. Rehab already started….. Working hard to get back as soon as I can.”
The No. 1 player in the World Golf Rankings has withdrawn from this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland, the European Tour confirmed.
A spokeswoman for McIlroy’s management company told CNN there is a “10 percent chance” that the 26-year-old could play in the Open Championship, where he would defend the Claret Jug he claimed last year at Royal Liverpool.
McIlroy went from the 5-1 favorite to odds of 8-1 on Monday morning after his injury was announced, according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Jordan Spieth, who has won the Masters and U.S. Open this year, went from 6-1 to 9-2 and now is the betting favorite.
