World golf No.1 Rory McIlroy is set to return from injury at next week's PGA Championship, after being scheduled to tee off in the first round.
Rory McIlroy tees off on the fifth hole during the fourth round of the PGA Championship, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The PGA of America said on Twitter that defending champion McIlroy had been grouped with US Open and Masters champion Jordan Spieth and British Open winner Zach Johnson for the opening round next Thursday at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
McIlroy later re-Tweeted the PGA's Tweet.
McIlroy, who hasn't played since suffering ankle ligament damage while playing football with friends on July the 4th, had fanned speculation he would play the final major of the year with a series of social media posts in recent days.
He looked to be on the road to recovery in pictures and videos posted this week, which showed him working out in the gym and hitting a driver.
Rory McIlroy lifts the PGA Championship trophy, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
On Friday the 26-year-old posted a picture that appeared to show the inside of a private plane, along with emojis depicting an airplane, US flag, a thumbs-up sign, a victory sign and a golf flag.
McIlroy last played at the US Open at Chambers Bay in June.
He was unable to defend his British Open title because of the injury.
Spieth can supplant him as world No.1 with a victory in the World Golf Championhsip in Ohio this week.
