Injury rules holder Rory McIlroy out of British Open

Rory McIlroy will not defend his British Open title at St Andrews next week after announcing on Wednesday he did not want to risk further damage to the ankle ligaments he ruptured playing football last weekend.

His presence at the spiritual home of golf had looked extremely doubtful after he suffered the injury in a kickabout with friends and posted a picture of himself wearing a protective plastic boot.

"After much consideration I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews," the Northern Irishman wrote on his Instagram account.

"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 percent healthy and 100 percent competitive."

The 26-year-old is the world number one and has won four major titles, the 2011 US Open, the 2012 PGA Championship and, in 2014, the British Open and the PGA Championship.

His potential showdown with double major winner Jordan Spieth was expected to be the highlight of the Open but the American will now start the tournament as the favourite.