Rory McIlroy could test ankle in practice round

Rory McIlroy is set to test his injured left ankle on Saturday with a practice round at Whistling Straits, according to a Reuters report.



Whistling Straits will be the site of next week's PGA Championship north of Milwaukee. If true, it could mean McIlroy might attempt to come back from an ankle injury in time for the year's final major.

However, McIlroy's publicist refuted the report when reached by the Irish Golf Desk, telling the outlet: "Not booked for such a round. Still going through the ankle rehab process."

The No. 1-ranked player in the world, McIlroy suffered ligament damage to his left ankle while playing soccer with his friends on July 4 in Northern Ireland. He has since withdrawn from the Scottish Open, The Open and this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

McIlroy, 26, was the defending champion at The Open and this week's Bridgestone. He also won last year's PGA Championship. McIlroy finished third, one shot out of a playoff, when the PGA was played at Whistling Straits in 2010.

No. 2-ranked Jordan Spieth has a chance to surpass McIlroy in the rankings with a victory at Firestone Country Club this week.