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Report: McIlroy to play practice round at Whistling Straits on Saturday

Mathieu Belanger / REUTERS

Rory McIlroy has scheduled a Saturday practice round at Whistling Straits, Reuters' Andrew Both reported Monday.

Medical experts initially estimated it would take about 12 weeks for McIlroy to completely recover from his early July ankle injury, making this news somewhat surprising.

The 26-year-old ruptured a ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer last month. On the mend since, the world No. 1 golfer was unable to defend his title at The Open Championship at St. Andrews.

"I'm taking a long-term view of this injury and, although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100 percent healthy and 100 percent competitive," McIlroy said.

Getting in a practice round at the Wisconsin site of the PGA Championship prior to the tournament would give McIlroy a chance to test the strength of his ankle on the very course where he was victorious last year.

If McIlroy is fit enough to play at the tournament, which begins Aug. 13, golf fans may be treated to a battle for supremacy between the Northern Irishman and 22-year-old Texan Jordan Spieth.

If Spieth wins this week's World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, he'll leapfrog McIlroy for top ranking in the world.

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