Could McIlroy be back sooner than we think?

The world number one golfer has been teasing fans all week with uploads charting his road to recovery since his ankle injury while playing football last month.

Rory McIlroy has apparently confirmed his participation in next week’s USPGA by posting a photograph to his Twitter account showing his private jet bound for Wisconsin where the tournament will take place.

McIlroy was unable to defend his title at the British Open in July and will also miss out on doing the same at the Bridgestone Invitational this weekend.

Question is will it be quick enough?

The American media were quick to analyse his motion, with Brady Riggs, a coach on the PGA Tour providing a positive verdict.

Alongside the short video clip, McIlroy wrote: “Working hard every day to come back stronger #dontmindthegrind”.

Accompanying the picture was a series of emojis (or picture characters) indicating a flight from Portugal to the United States followed by a thumbs-up, a victory sign and a golf course symbol.

“I firmly believe, having dealt with injury, and a lot of people hadn’t really talked about this, but it’s a pretty hilly golf course“, said the four-time tour victor, whose nagging back problems forced him into an early retirement. Its reigning champion, Rory McIlroy, is signaling that he’s close to returning to competitive play too.

We’re still awaiting confirmation in written English, but it seems more and more likely that the friendly soccer game will only cost McIlroy a shot at one major this year.

McIlroy has won two events this year, the WGC-Cadillac Match play and the Wells Fargo Championship.