McIlroy pulls out of Bridgestone Invitational

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy has confirmed that his ankle injury will prevent him from defending the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational next week. The injury ruled him out of defending his British Open title two weeks ago at St. Andrews.

The Northern Irishman was forced to miss this month’s Open Championship after rupturing his ankle ligaments shortly before the event, and his camp admitted that they were unsure of when he would be fit to return.

“Unfortunately, I will not be defending my World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational title”, McIlroy said in a statement released Wednesday by the tournament.

McIlroy’s chances of playing in the 97th PGA Championship could be in jeopardy. A four-time major victor, McIlroy also captured the PGA in 2012.

Still unclear is whether his injured left ankle will be healthy enough for a run at back-to-back PGA titles.

McIlroy’s last event was the U.S. Open on June 21 at Chambers Bay, where he finished tied for ninth.

That’s a shame for golf fans, because it puts a pause on the whole Rory McIlroy vs. Jordan Spieth rivalry, something that seemed to be building during the summer.

McIlroy has two victories in 2015 – in the WGC-Cadillac Match Play and the Wells Fargo Championship.