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Rory McIlroy could struggle this en
Layoff

Montgomerie fears long road to recovery for McIlroy

Rory McIlroy’s ankle injury may have a knock-on effect that spoils the remainder of his season.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE FEARS fears Rory McIlroy’s ankle injury could hamper the world number one for the rest of the season.

The world number one ruptured ligaments in his left ankle while playing football with friends earlier this month, ruling him out of The Open and potentially the PGA Championship in August.

And Montgomerie is concerned the four-time major winner could struggle with the problem for the remainder of 2015.

“The outside left ankle – we know as right-handed golfers – takes a lot of strain on every shot, especially the distance he hits the ball and how fast that ankle moves through the shot,” Montgomerie said at the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational.

“Let’s hope he can get back to full fitness and have the confidence to commit to certain shots, when’s he’s on a downhill lie or an uphill lie.

“It’ll be difficult for him right through to Christmas, to be honest. Then hopefully next year Rory can get back on track.”

The 26-year-old has seen Jordan Spieth emerge as his main rival for major honours this year, with the American having won the Masters and the U.S. Open before falling one shot shy of reaching a play-off at St Andrews.

Asked whether McIlroy and 21-year-old Spieth will become the dominant forces in the sport for the foreseeable future, Montgomerie – a five-time runner-up at majors – added:

“Only time will tell. Jordan Spieth said it right on the rivalry with Rory McIlroy, he said, ‘I’m not in Rory McIlroy’s league yet. Rory is way above me right now’.

“But he’s certainly making noises like he will challenge him.”

The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational is a charity event centred around the union of golf and giving. This year’s event is raising vast amounts of money for De Paul UK, a charity that works tirelessly to prevent youth homelessness.

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