Rory McIlroy to miss 2015 British Open

The 2015 British Open will be without its reigning champion.

Rory McIlroy has announced that he will miss next week's tournament at St. Andrews after suffering an ankle injury playing soccer last weekend.

"After much consideration, I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews," McIlroy said in a statement. "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. "

A four-time major winner, McIlroy bested Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler at Royal Liverpool to win the 2014 British Open. With a T-3 finish at the Old Course when it hosted the 2010 Open, many had circled McIlroy as a favorite at St. Andrews.

"Thank you for all your support and best wishes," McIlroy continued. "I hope to be back on the course as soon as I can."

The PGA Championship, which McIlroy also won in 2014, becomes the next return target. The event will be held on Aug. 13-16 at Whistling Straits.