Rory Mcilroy 'right to miss Open', Wayne Riley says

Rory McIlroy has done the right thing by giving up on the 144th Open, according to Sky Sports expert Wayne Riley.

The reigning champion has announced he will not defend his title at St Andrews after rupturing a ligament in his ankle during a weekend kickabout with friends.

McIlroy initially said he still hoped to play, despite his injury typically requiring a minimum of six weeks' recovery time.

The boy's 26 - he needs to be able to do what he wants to do. You could have an injury getting out of the shower or dropping a can of beans on your toe.

But Riley told Sky Sports News HQ: "You don't want to make this injury last a whole lot longer. He's making the right decision - it's just such a shame.

"He will hate missing the Open at St Andrews - the great Jack Nicklaus said you never win an Open properly unless you win at the Old Course."

Riley does not foresee the injury having a long-term impact on McIlroy's golf and has backed the Irishman to carry on enjoying his life away from the sport.

"The boy's 26 - he needs to be able to do what he wants to do. You could have an injury getting out of the shower or dropping a can of beans on your toe.

"He's going to be 55 when he stops playing golf, he need to live his life - to go skiing or do whatever he does.

"He'll be fine - footballers go through this all the time, and golf is not a contact sport. Whether it takes a couple of months, we shall see. His only problem is he's down to his last £50m - how's he going to afford a couple of months off?!"