Rory McIlroy will not defend his British Open title at St Andrews this year after announcing on Wednesday he did not want to risk further damage to the ankle ligaments he ruptured playing soccer.
McIlroy’s presence at the spiritual home of golf had looked extremely doubtful after he suffered the injury playing with friends. He posted a picture of himself wearing a protective plastic boot and his withdrawal was duly confirmed on his Instagram account.
“After much consideration I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St Andrews,” the Northern Irishman wrote.
Photo: EPA
“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 percent healthy and 100 percent competitive,” he added.
McIlroy’s potential showdown with double major winner Jordan Spieth was expected to be the highlight of the Open, but the American will now start the tournament as favorite.
Spieth is one of several players who have come to McIlroy’s defense after the usual social media “storm” questioning the wisdom of him playing soccer on an artificial pitch so close to the Open.
Spieth said that he plays basketball with his caddie, adding that he recently had a near miss on a fishing trip when a shark took a tuna he was trying to reel in and almost pulled him overboard.
Phil Mickelson, speaking ahead of the Scottish Open, which begins on Thursday, said he missed the 1994 Masters after breaking his leg in a skiing accident.
“I said then, and I feel the same way now, you cannot live your life in fear,” he said.
“You have to enjoy the moment. I did not feel like he [McIlroy] was doing anything that was an unnecessary risk. He was just playing around and accidents happen. People get hurt taking a shower and doing normal day-to-day things. You cannot stop living your life,” he added.
Justin Rose took a similar view, saying that total focus on golf could be counterproductive.
“He likes to get his mind away from golf. I think he is the kind of guy that, if he ... got too much in his own head, it is not going to help him,” Rose said.
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