World's top golfer hurt playing soccer, may miss British Open

Rory McIlroy may want to hang up the soccer cleats until further notice.

The world's top golfer injured himself playing soccer on Saturday and now may miss the chance at earning a $1.78 million paycheck.

The 26-year-old Northern Ireland native posted the news of his injury to Instagram on Monday, confirming it was a ruptured ankle with other related damage.

 

Total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends on Saturday. Continuing to assess extent of injury and treatment plan day by day. Rehab already started..... Working hard to get back as soon as I can.

A photo posted by Rory McIlroy (@rorymcilroy) on

Jul 6, 2015 at 2:53am PDT

McIlroy stated that his rehab has already started but it's possible he will be scratched from the 2015 British Open championship tournament, which is scheduled to begin July 16. He won the tournament last year and according to Sports Illustrated he was the favorite to win again this year.

The winner's prize for this year's British Open is about $1.78 million, a record for the 144-year-old tournament. If McIlroy is forced to sit out, this could be among the most costly soccer injuries in history.

Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.