Rory McIlroy is reportedly planning to test his injured ankle this weekend by playing a practice round at Whistling Straits, venue for next week's US PGA Championship.
The Northern Irishman has not played since rupturing the anterior ligament in his left ankle at the start of the July, forcing him to miss the Scottish Open and also meaning he was unable to defend his Open title at St Andrews.
The setback has also ruled the 26-year-old out of this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio, where McIlory is defending champion after a two-shot win last year.
Reports in America suggest that McIlroy will test his injury in a practice round this Saturday at the undulating Wisconsin course, which next week stages the final major championship of the season.
McIlroy, the reigning US PGA champion, said recently he was taking a ‘long term view’ of the injury he suffered while playing football with friends and would not risk greater harm by returning to competition too soon.
Some medical experts said the injury suffered by McIlroy normally takes about 12 weeks to completely heal, although the first round of next week's US PGA Championship takes place less than six weeks after the injury happened.
In McIlroy’s absence, Jordan Spieth has taken centre stage in recent weeks and the 22-year-old American will replace him as world No 1 if he were to win at Firestone this Sunday.
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