Rory McIlroy makes it official, pulls out of British Open

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Rory McIlroy made it official on Wednesday, announcing he will not play in next week’s British Open at St. Andrews.

In a post to Instagram, McIlroy said in part, “After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews. I’m taking a long term view of this injury and, although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100% healthy and 100% competitive. Thank you for all your support and best wishes. I hope to be back on the course as soon as I can.”

Russell Knox replaces McIlroy in the field.

McIlroy suffered a total rupture of the ATFL ligament on his left ankle while playing soccer with friends on July 4. McIlroy’s camp had indicated there was a “10 percent chance” of the world No. 1 teeing it up at the Old Course at the Home of Golf. He had withdrawn from this week’s scheduled start at the Scottish Open.

The Ulsterman is yet to provide a loose timetable for his recovery from the injury, while speculative doctors have suggested a range of a couple of weeks to several months.

McIlroy will be the first Open champion since Ben Hogan in 1954 not to defend the Claret Jug.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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