Rory McIlroy's recovery surprises Butch Harmon
Last Updated: 12/08/15 6:06pm
Butch Harmon is "a little surprised" that Rory McIlroy has recovered in time to compete at this week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Four-time major champion McIlroy will be playing in his first tournament since rupturing his ankle ligaments six weeks ago, and Harmon believes the 26-year-old is taking a risk by competing at the notoriously tricky Wisconsin course.
"I was surprised he would come back and play this early," said Harmon.
"Yet I've watched him this week on the practice tee and a little bit on the course and he's swinging fine, he doesn't seem to have any problem with the ankle, I've seen him walk on the course - he's fine.
"The problem I would have here is that this place has got so many ups and downs and humps and bumps that he could get one little funky lie and make a bad swing and it could put a strain on the ankle. That's my only concern.
"As far as his game goes, I don't think we know - he's not tournament sharp, he hasn't played in competition since the US Open in June. We'll learn a lot on the first day how good Rory's going to be play or not. That he's playing I think is really good for the tournament but I am a little surprised he's doing it so early."
Defending champion McIlroy will tee off alongside the current US Open and Masters champion Jordan Spieth and 144th Open champion Zach Johnson.
Spieth enters the tournament as the bookies' favourite, even though McIlroy is the current world number one.
"That's the pairing of the day, I think that does get Rory's juices flowing," said Harmon.
"He knows he's ranked number one but everybody feels that Jordan Spieth is playing better than anybody else in the world. It will be fun to watch."
