LONDON (AP) — Rory McIlroy has injured his left ankle while playing soccer. That leaves the world's No. 1 golfer in doubt of defending his British Open title next week at St. Andrews.

His spokesman, Sean O'Flaherty, said he was definitely out of the Scottish Open, which starts Thursday and that McIlroy would continue to assess the severity of the injury.

McIlroy was the joint favorite at St. Andrews with Jordan Spieth . The 21-year-old Texan has won the Masters and U.S. Open and goes to the British Open as only the fourth player with a shot at the modern Grand Slam.

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