Rory McIlroy shows off ankle stability - update on PGA participation imminent
Rory McIlroy working on his ankle stability in the gym
He might not be booked in for a practice round at Whistling Straits but Rory McIlroy's left ankle looks like it could take the strain of a PGA Championship defence on the evidence of the Instagram video he posted today.
The world No 1 is expected to announced tomorrow whether or not he has recovered fully from his July 4 injury and can defend the title. But judging by the video that appears to have been made in the gym at Denis O'Brien's Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal — and backed up by comments from professionals in the sports conditioning industry — McIlroy appears to be ready to come back.
McIlroy reported on July 6 that he has suffered a "total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends" on July 4, posting a picture of himself on crutches.
A few days later, posting a picture of a foot in a surgical boot, he announced he was unable to defend his Open Championship title at St Andrews, reporting that he was taking a long term view of the injury and adding that "although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100% healthy and 100% competitive."
On Monday, Reuters reported that he was pencilled in for a practice round at Whistling Straits this Saturday, which his publicist Terry Prone denied.
Replying to a written query, she said: "Not booked for such a round. Still going through the ankle rehab process."
Booked? Scheduled? Planning? Perhaps nuances of meaning are all that are being addressed here.
There was no response from the Communications Clinic when asked if McIlroy had been practicing or whether he had definitively ruled out playing next week - 35 days after suffering what he said on social media was a "total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends."
However, a BBC story quotes a "spokesman" as saying on Tuesday that McIlroy's recovery is "ongoing" and that there would be a further update on Thursday.
The spokesman described McIlroy's recovery from a ruptured ankle ligament as "progressing well".
When contacted, other close confidantes of McIlroy's said they preferred not to confirm or deny any information about the Co Down man's recent golfing activity.
However, it now appears he's very close to announcing that he's ready to come back. Given the hype surrounding his absence, the PGA of America will be happy to let him turn up and practice at Whistling Straits whenever he wants, even if he hasn't booked.
The Q gym at Quinta do Lago
