Reports that Rory McIlroy could be contemplating a US PGA practice round at Whistling Straits on Saturday — 35 days after suffering what he said was a "total rupture of left ATFL (ankle ligament) and associated joint capsule damage in a soccer kickabout with friends" — suggests he has made a very rapid recovery.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy— undisputed world No 1 and under no threat from a potentially debilitating back injury thanks to his fitness regime — is two shots behind leader Jordan Spieth after the opening round of the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney.