Rory McIlroy will delay a decision over his participation in the Open as long as possible, most likely into next week, after the defending champion ruptured a ligament in his left ankle playing football.
McIlroy took to social media on Monday morning to reveal the problem, with the sight of the world No1 on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his foot apparently all but ruling him out of the championship that begins at St Andrews on Thursday week.
During a game with friends on an artificial five-a-side pitch in Bangor on Saturday, McIlroy turned unchallenged and felt his ankle give way. The worst case scenario suggests McIlroy will miss several weeks, with the best suggesting he could make an Open attempt with his ankle heavily strapped. Odds are stacked heavily against the latter scenario.
“Total rupture of a left ankle ligament and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday,” McIlroy said. “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.”
McIlroy was instantly ruled out of this week’s Scottish Open at Gullane, which he had intended to be his Open buildup. He is undergoing intensive treatment in Belfast under the guidance of medical consultants and his personal trainer, Dr Steve McGregor, who is also a qualified physiotherapist.
The ankle remains badly swollen and McIlroy cannot place weight on his left side. Until that changes, and he determines what swing can be made with ankle support, he will not completely rule out taking to the 1st tee at St Andrews.
Time is loosely on McIlroy’s side. He has no obligation to confirm or otherwise taking his place in the Open field until the middle of next week. Because it is a major, reserve players will be on site to fill any void that may be created by the 2014 champion. The bigger picture relates to McIlroy’s season, which would see attempted defences not only of the Open but the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in mid-August. Golf, not just McIlroy, would feel the impact of any extended absence.
Dr Roger Hawkes, the European Tour’s chief medical officer, explained the significance of the ligament in question: “In the leading ankle [the left in a right-hander], it plays an important part in stabilising the ankle during the follow through when there is a tendency to roll over on the ankle. The anterior talofibular ligament as well as the peroneal muscles help resist this.
“At the time of injury the associated capsule of the ankle joint is also damaged and this leads to considerable pain and swelling. Other complications include bone bruising in the joint as a result of significant smacking together of the ankle joint bones at the time of injury.
“Initially, the ankle needs to rest and then slowly to get moving with an emphasis on maximising the stability of the ankle by developing the relevant muscles and, at the same time, retraining the brain to coordinate these stabilising muscles.”
