Ian Poulter has said that it is sad that world number one Rory McIlroy will miss the Open due to an injury.

McIlroy injured his ankle ligaments while playing football with friends and it looks likely that he will miss the Open in St Andrews next week.

"Obviously it's disappointing from his perspective that he's picked up a silly injury playing football," Poulter told reporters. "From a golf perspective, as a professional and as a friend, you want him to grow in the game of golf.

"It's sad to see him miss the Open and a couple of tournaments after that. There are some other great players in the world that I'm sure are going to step up to the plate in the next few weeks but I wish him a speedy recovery.

"He's done a great job leading from the front up there and hopefully he can heal that ankle and come back."

McIlroy could be out injured for three months.