Wednesday 12 August 2015 18:44, UK
Rory McIlroy looks certain to defend his US PGA Championship title next week after he was named in selected tee times for the final major of the year at Whistling Straits.
The world No 1 has been sidelined since rupturing ligaments in his left ankle while playing football with friends in Northern Ireland in early July, forcing him to miss the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational crowns.
But after a series of encouraging messages on social media over the last few days, McIlroy appears increasingly likely to tee up in the US PGA after being grouped with Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth and Open winner Zach Johnson for the first two rounds next week.
McIlroy has not officially confirmed he will play the year's final major but his Twitter account did retweet the news from the PGA of America.
The 26-year-old is believed to be planning a practice round at Whistling Straits over the weekend, having tweeted a picture on Friday which appeared to show the inside of a private plane along with various emojis depicting a US flag, a thumbs-up symbol and a golf flag.
The on-board video screen suggested McIlroy was departing from Faro in Portugal, where the four-time major winner has been reportedly practising and the location for Thursday's video of him hitting a driver on the range.
On Wednesday, McIlroy posted a video on his Instagram account in which he was seen balancing on his left leg and twisting and throwing a gym ball to mimic the actions of the golf swing.
Alongside the short video clip, McIlroy wrote: "Working hard every day to come back stronger #dontmindthegrind", while he also shared photographs of his ankle from four and three weeks ago, saying: "I've come a long way since."
Spieth would take over as world No 1 if he wins his first World Golf Championship title at Firestone Country Club, where McIlroy came from three shots behind to beat Ryder Cup team-mate and return to the top of the world rankings 12 months ago.
McIlroy's last competitive round was a closing 66 in the US Open at Chambers Bay.
