Ah, what could have been for Rory McIlroy

— -- GULLANE, Scotland -- Graeme McDowell has a history with the Old Course at St. Andrews that spans two Opens and some 15 years.

But when he arrived at the famous links Saturday for a practice round, he couldn't help but think of a player, who at the time he had no idea would not be there next week when The Open begins.

"It is a golf course I look at and feel the bombers have a great shot around there because they can hit it over trouble,'' McDowell said Thursday at Gullane Golf Club, site of the Scottish Open. "I played it on Saturday, and the first name that jumped into my mind was Rory (McIlroy), you have to say. I really felt like he had a big shot next week.

"Obviously he'll be hugely disappointed not to be there. I really thought the longer hitters could have a big chance next week. It's going to be green and soft, at least by links standards.''

McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion who also hails from Northern Ireland, only learned later that the No. 1-ranked player in the world was in distress.

McIlroy suffered a right ankle injury while at home in Northern Ireland playing soccer with friends. The result was ligament damage that has knocked him out of the Open next week.

The defending Open champion, McIlroy was set for an interesting battle with No. 2-ranked Jordan Spieth, who has won both major championships this year -- The Masters in April and The U.S. Open Championship in June. McIlroy is holding the other two major championship trophies, and he shot 63 at the Old Course in 2010.

McIlroy has also been top 10 in the past four majors, and no other player has done that in three majors during that span.

"I sent him a text message, basically sorry to hear what's going on,'' McDowell said. "I wished him well sort of thing. I didn't want to interrogate him and ask, 'how bad is it?' I wasn't looking for the exclusive.''

McDowell, who has dropped out of the top 50 in the world, opened the Aberdeen Scottish Open with a 4-under-par 66 on Thursday.