Thursday 13 August 2015 14:11, UK
Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will defend his PGA Championship this week and says his ankle is "100 per cent" ready.
The world No 1 has declared himself fully fit and will tee-up at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin having not played a competitive round since June 21.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined since rupturing ligaments in his left ankle while playing football with friends in early July.
Subsequently, McIlroy was forced to sidestep the Scottish Open, the 144th Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but after playing a practice round at Whistling Straits on Saturday says he is ready for his title defence.
He said: "To play golf my ankle's 100 per cent. To go back on a soccer pitch, it wouldn't be quite ready. But to do what I need to do this week, it's 100 per cent.
"It actually feels better when I go at it as hard as I want because my left foot sort of spins out of the way whenever I hit the driver anyway.
To go back on a soccer pitch, it wouldn't be quite ready. But to do what I need to do this week, it's 100 per cent.
"If my left foot was to stay completely flat, like roll on to the left side like a lot of guys do, then it would obviously create a few problems.
“Because mine sort of spins out of the way, it takes a lot of pressure off it."
Since the injury, McIlroy has spent time in Portugal and he hopes he will be competitive enough to force his way into contention on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier this year he took seven weeks off before returning to action to finish second in the Desert Swing.
He added: "I think it's just the competitiveness of feeling what it's like to play a tournament.
"It's OK coming back to play Abu Dhabi as your first week back, but playing a major, it's a bit different.
"Just that sharpness and competitive edge, that's the thing you really hope is there when you come back."
And if McIlroy requires reassurances, then he needs to remember the achievement of Tiger Woods in 2008 when the American won the US Open at Torrey Pines having not played since the Masters two months earlier.
McIlroy also admitted he was able to practice his short game while wearing a protective boot on his injured ankle. He told the Daily Mail: "I've been chipping and putting basically since it happened, with my protective boot on.
"I did think about coming back last week at the Bridgestone but Steve (McGregor, his fitness coach) held me back.
“He thought it important for me to basically play a tournament behind closed doors and after I completed that successfully, it felt the right time to come."
Watch all four rounds of the PGA Championship live on Sky Sports, starting this Thursday.
