The Open 2015: Former England manager Glenn Hoddle questions why Rory McIlroy was playing football so close to the major

McIlroy injured his ankle in 'kickabout' 12 days before event

Rory McIlroy's Instagram post shows his injured ankle (INSTAGRAM)

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has questioned why Rory McIlroy was having a "kickabout" days before the start of The Open.

The world No 1 is playing no part of the major tournament after rupturing his anterior talo-fibular ligament (ankle) and associated joint capsule damage playing in a game of football with some friends 12 days before the St Andrews event.

The Northern Irishman said that his rehab has "already started" and that he is "working hard to get back as soon as I can".

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Hoddle, who managed England between 1996 and 1999, said on Kicca:

"Obviously Rory's not playing being injured. It surprises me he'd play football, what is he doing playing football? So many people from different sports get injured playing football, it's not that easy and my advice would be 'don't do it!"

The 26-year-old McIlroy won the Open at Royal Liverpool last year before going on to win another major title, his fourth, at the US PGA Championship. It's quite possible that McIlroy will be unable to defend that title either.

Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance was taken by surprise by the news as he arrived at Wimbledon to watch the day's action there.

"That's the first I've heard of it but I'm in complete shock: that's a big blow to (the Open) if he misses it," Torrance had said.