Louis Oosthuizen urges McIlroy patience

Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen feels it is important that Rory McIlroy does not return from injury before he is ready.

The world number one will not play at St Andrews this week to defend his Open Championship title after rupturing his Achilles while playing football with friends.

The Northern Irishman has hinted that he will be out of action for some time as he continues to receive physiotherapy on the problem.

And 2010 Open champion Oosthuizen, who has himself suffered with injury over the years, has backed the four-time major winner’s decision to take his time before teeing it up once again.

“Rehab is the most important thing after any injury,” said the South African. “I came back in 2010. I tore my ankle ligaments on the left ankle and I came back probably too soon, so that put me back a few months more.

“It’s something you and your team need to take care of just to make sure that, whenever you’re back, you’re fully fit.

“A lot of times you’re very anxious to come back a bit earlier to get back to it. You miss being part of the action, you miss playing in tournaments, and sometimes that can be costly.”

Tagged Louis Oosthuizen, Rory McIlroy, St Andrews, The Open, The Open Championship