Rory McIlroy ankle 'progressing well' but no word on US PGA yet

Valhalla was cloaked in darkness minutes after McIlroy won his fourth major by a single stroke last August

Rory McIlroy's recovery from a ruptured ankle ligament is "progressing well" but he is yet to say whether he will defend his US PGA title next week.

Reports on Monday suggested the 26-year-old world number one had booked a practice round at Whistling Straits, the venue of the year's final major.

On Tuesday, a spokesman said McIlroy's recovery was "ongoing" and that there would be a further update on Thursday.

McIlroy will not defend his Bridgestone Invitational title this week.

The Northern Irishman has not played since sustaining a total rupture of his anterior ligament on 4 July while playing football with friends.

He was unable to defend his Open Championship title at St Andrews and there were fears he could be ruled out for as long as three months.

McIlroy, who won his first US PGA title in 2012, missed out on a play-off by one shot the last time the season's final major was at Whistling Straits, in 2010.

When he announced in July he would miss the Open, McIlroy said he was taking a "long-term view" of the injury.

"Although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100% healthy and 100% competitive," he said.