McIlroy to miss another title defense at Firestone

AKRON, Ohio (AP) Rory McIlroy has told the PGA Tour he will not play the Bridgestone Invitational next week as he recovers from his ankle injury.

It will be the second straight tournament that McIlroy will miss as the defending champion. He injured his left ankle while playing soccer with friends in Northern Ireland the first weekend in July. He was not able to defend his title in the British Open at St. Andrews.

McIlroy did not indicate if he would be able to play the PGA Championship on Aug. 13-16 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. He won the PGA Championship last year for his fourth career major.

Jordan Spieth will have another chance to replace McIlroy at No. 1 in the world next week at Firestone.