Rory McIlroy has effectively declared himself a starter for this week’s US PGA Championships.
The world No.1 practised at Whistling Straits, in Wisconsin, this weekend and was seen bustling around the undulating layout without hindrance.
The 26-year-old, just five weeks removed from a serious ankle injury sustained while playing soccer with his mates, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel his ankle was “good”.
“Getting around a golf course like this, playing 18 holes, it felt fine. I’ve come a long way in five weeks,” he said.
The defending champ later told Golf Channel his left ankle was a “non-issue”.
He does not have to commit to the PGA, which starts on Thursday, until his official tee time for the opening round.
He has been grouped with the Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth and The Open winner Zach Johnson for the firsttwo rounds of the year’s final major, teeing off at 4.20am Friday (AEST).
Meanwhile, top-ranked Jason Day has been paired with Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler for the opening rounds with the trio off at 11.55pm Thursday (AEST) in round one.
Adam Scott has drawn alongside Henrik Stenson and Brooks Koepka at 4.10am Friday (AEST), while Marc Leishman will play with Ben Polland and Kevin Kisner at 4.50am (AEST).
Geoff Ogilvy will play with Justin Rose and Brandt Snedeker at 10.35pm Thursday (AEST), Matt Jones will play at 11.35pm Thursday (AEST), while his brother Brett will make his major championship debut at 3.10am Friday (AEST).
John Senden starts his first round at 4.40am Friday (AEST), while fellow Queenslanders Steve Bowditch and Cam Smith are off at 3.40am and 4am (AEST), respectively.
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Friday 3-9am (AEST)
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