World number one Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will not be able to defend his Open Championship title at St Andrews next week.

McIlroy revealed on Monday that he had suffered ankle ligament damage while playing football with friends.

The Northern Irishman had initially seemed hopeful he would still be able to compete in Scotland, but he has now confirmed he will miss the tournament and intends to make a return when he is fully fit, rather than try and rush his recovery.

“After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St Andrews,” McIlroy wrote on his official Instagram account.

“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% healthy and 100% competitive.”

It remains to be seen whether or not McIlroy, 26, will recover in time for the final major of the year, the PGA Championship in August, after missing The Open.

World number two Jordan Spieth, who has won both majors to date in 2015, is 6.00 to secure The Open title outright, while Englishman Justin Rose is 15.00.

Rickie Fowler is available at 26.00 and former world number one Lee Westwood is 67.00 to secure a first major title.

The Open Championship runs from July 16 to 19 at the Old Course.