WORLD No.1 Rory McIlroy is set to play the year’s final Major after scheduling a practice round at next week’s US PGA Championship venue Whistling Straits.

The northern Irishman has locked in a round at the Wisconsin layout this Saturday, according to a Reuters report naming a ‘reliable source’.

The four-times Major winner left the golf world stunned in July when he ruptured the anterior ligament in his left ankle playing soccer and ruled himself out of defending his British Open title at St Andrews.

McIlroy’s management have declined to comment, but a practice round is a strong indication the 26-year-old superstar intends on defending the title he claimed by one stroke at Valhalla in Kentucky.

It comes a week two weeks after McIlroy was spotted leaving a gym – supposedly after training – while the British Open was on.

However, McIlroy has confirmed he won’t play in WGC event in Akron, Ohio this week.

@EvinPriest