McIlroy Won't Defend Title At Open Championship

Rory McIlroy won't be back to defend his title in the Open Championship, the first time in 61 years the defending champion will not be playing.

The world's No. 1 player announced Wednesday that a ruptured ligament in his left ankle will keep him from from playing in the Open Championship at St. Andrews.

McIlroy said he injured his ankle while playing soccer with friends in Northern Ireland over the weekend. He was hopeful that he would recover in time for The Open, but decided two days later it was not worth risking a full recovery.

He will be the first player not to defend his Open title since Ben Hogan in 1954. Hogan, who was nearly killed in an automobile accident in 1949, won the only Open Championship he played in 1953 at Carnoustie.