World number one Rory McIlroy has confirmed his intention to defend his US PGA Championship title this weekend at Whistling Straits.

McIlroy has spent the past few days practising on the Wisconsin course, having been sidelined since early July when he suffered a rupture of his left ankle ligaments during a game of football with friends.

However, he has said he is now fit and ready to return.

“If anything, my ankle feels even better when I swing hard,” he told reporters.

The 26-year-old’s injury ruled him out of the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational titles, but he has been playing since the Monday that Zach Johnson inherited his Open crown.

“I’ve played a lot of golf since then, just finding the middle of the clubface again,” he said.

“And I’ve been chipping and putting basically since it happened, with my protective boot on.

“I did think about coming back last week at the Bridgestone but Steve (McGregor, his fitness coach) held me back. He thought it important for me to basically play a tournament behind closed doors and after I completed that successfully, it felt the right time to come.

“I’m ready to play and I ex-pect to do well.”

The four-time major winner has been paired with Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson for the first two rounds tomorrow and Friday.