Rory McIlroy major doubt for PGA Championship after pulling out of Akron

World number one Rory McIlroy will not defend his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title next week as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

And that increases the likelihood that the four-time major winner will also be unable to defend the following week’s US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

McIlroy suffered a “total rupture” of a ligament in his left ankle while playing football with friends on July 4 and was forced to miss the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open title at St Andrews.