Rory McIlroy out of WGC-Bridgestone, but PGA status remains unknown
Rory McIlroy still isn't ready to play golf. He announced Wednesday that he won't defend his title next week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, a tournament he won as part of a three-event winning streak including the final two majors of 2014.
"Unfortunately, I will not be defending my Bridgestone title," said McIlroy. “Best of luck to all the competitors, and I look forward to returning to Firestone in 2016.”
Instead, McIlroy will continue to nurse the ruptured ligament he suffered in his left ankle during a July 4 soccer game with friends.
With the WGC in Ohio serving as the final tune-up before the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, there's more doubt that the world No. 1 will be able to defend the Wanamaker trophy in Wisconsin. The last PGA champion to not defend his title was Ben Hogan, who won the 1948 title but did not play the next year as he was recovering from a near-fatal car accident.
McIlroy's absence from Firestone Country Club also opens the possibility of Jordan Spieth becoming the top-ranked player in the world. Were Spieth to win the week before the PGA, he would take over the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
