Injured Rory McIlroy ‘not hit a ball since Friday’ as late Sawgrass arrival threatens Players defence

Rory McIlroy does not tend to miss many practices.

As he prepares for the defence of The Players title that he won for a second time last year, that was the case on Wednesday as he made a late arrival on Sawgrass property.

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The Northern Irishman is continuing to undergo treatment on a back injury that forced him out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill last week.

“I was told yesterday afternoon that he has not hit a significant shot last Friday at the Arnold Palmer,” the Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis said.

“So unless he went out to his home golf course to hit a few shots, his first shot will be here at the Stadium Course.”

It was the first time since 2013 that McIlroy had withdrawn from a PGA Tour event, and it came just hours before his Saturday tee time.

Citing a twinge to the lower back area that led to muscle spasms, McIlroy has been undergoing treatment ever since, and that remains the case on the eve of the tournament.

Caddie Harry Diamond was the first member of the McIlroy entourage on site at Ponte Vendre Beach.

He was out on the course at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday morning, doing the final prep ahead of Thursday’s opening round.

Lewis issued an update just after 2pm EST, with McIlroy’s arrival imminent.

“I have been told he is feeling better each and every day since pulling out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational,” Lewis said.

“When he arrives here he is going to go inside the clubhouse and register, then he is going to go out to the player practise area and hit some shots.

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“Make sure that his back is co-ordinated with his game, then there is a possibility that he may walk a few holes.

“Probably will not play them but walk with a wedge and a putter, just to put his feet on the golf course, see how springy it is, how the greens roll.

“I imagine he is under a bit of a pitch count in regards to how many balls he hits, to not put any extra stress on his back

“If everything goes as he hopes, he is going to give a media conference to give an update on where he is with his body and his intention to play.

“He is on his way, and he intends to give it a whirl and play as defending champion.”

McIlroy is schedule to tee off on day one alongside Xander Schauffelle and Hideki Matsuyama at 1:42pm EST.

Give the nature of his injury it’s highly likely McIlroy will give himself as long as possible to recover, so a decision will likely go as close to his tee time as PGA Tour rules will allow.

The 36-year-old won The Players – golf’s unofficial ‘fifth major’ – for the second time having claimed it first back in 2019.

Last year it proved to be a catalyst for a stunning triumph at The Masters.

McIlroy’s dramatic victory at Augusta – where he seemed to have the tournament won, lost and then finally won – saw him claim the elusive Green Jacket for the first time in his career.

The last thing the six-time major champion will want to do is put his participation at the opening major of the year under threat.

Not least because he will have the honour of hosting the Champions Dinner, where he will get to choose the menu served to the former champions – one of the sport’s greatest traditions,