Rory McIlroy pulls out of WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Rory McIlroy will not be fit for next week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

The reigning champion has told organisers he will not be defending his title at the Firestone Country Club as he continues his recovery from a ruptured ankle ligament.

McIlroy's short statement made no mention of when he might return from the injury, suffered during a kickabout with friends earlier this month.

 

 The damage has already prevented him defending his Open Championship title, and the latest withdrawal will raise further question marks about the likelihood of the world No 1 playing the season's final major - the USPGA at Whistling Straits next month.

At the time of his Open withdrawal McIlroy said only that he was taking a "long-term view" and hoped to return "as soon as I can".

In a short statement he said: "Unfortunately I will not be defending my title. Best of luck to the rest of the competitors and I look forward to returning to Firestone in 2016."

And tournament officials have announced that four-time PGA Tour winner Chris Kirk will not compete in Akron after failing to recover from the broken hand he suffered while playing with his children before the Open Championship.