Rory McIlroy will not play in next week's World Golf Championship - Bridgestone Invitational, as the No. 1 ranked player in the world continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
McIlroy notified tournament officials on Wednesday morning that he will miss the event at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. McIlroy won the 2014 Bridgestone Invitational with a 15-under 265 to beat Sergio Garcia by two strokes.
While McIlroy's status for the PGA Championship remains up in the air, missing the tune-up at Akron is not a good sign for his participation at Whistling Straits. The 26-year-old is the defending champion at the PGA after capturing the Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla last summer.
McIlroy missed this year's British Open -- another event in which he was the reigning title holder -- at St. Andrews by rupturing a ligament in his ankle playing soccer with friends.
The best of Golf Digest delivered daily
Sign UpWill be used in accordance with our PRIVACY POLICY