Rory McIlroy launches Players Championship defence despite battle with back injury

Mar 12, 2026 - 19:30

Rory McIlroy will defend his Players Championship title as he battles a back problem.

The five-time Major champion withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday before his third round, and has been inactive in recent days.

McIlroy showed no signs of struggles with the big stick on the first

McIlroy sustained a muscle problem in the gym on Saturday morning.

Following his late arrival at TPC Sawgrass, golf‘s world No. 2 admitted he was taking it ‘hour by hour’ and wanted to wait until his pre-round range session to determine whether he was fit enough to play.

He has now confirmed the news fans were hoping for by arriving at the first tee and launching a 329-yard drive to begin his round.

His appearance was delayed by inclement weather, which briefly halted play on Thursday.

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa had been installed as second-favourite for the Players after McIlroy’s injury problems.

But he lasted just one hole before suffering a back injury of his own on a practice swing at the 11th tee and being forced to withdraw.

McIlroy will be keen to finish his round today as more weather delays could lead to extra holes being played on Friday, which would take a toll on his back.

In 2024, Tiger Woods secured a record 24th-straight cut at The Masters despite being forced to play 23 holes in his second round, but his form dipped over the weekend and carded a 10-over 82 on the Saturday.

What injury has Rory McIlroy been battling?

Speaking during his press conference on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he had made progress with his back issue.

However, he was unable to play a practice round, and therefore was initially unable to confirm whether he would feature in the PGA Tour’s flagship event.

The Northern Irishman wanted to defend his title but The Masters is in under a month

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland signs autographs for fans prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course — McIlroy’s participation at The Players was in huge doubt

“It’s better than it was,” McIlroy said of his back, ahead of his scheduled title defence.

“I’ve got about 20 hours until I tee off, or until I’m supposed to tee off tomorrow, so we’ll see.

“But it feels better. That’s all I can say. I couldn’t stand to address the ball on Saturday morning on the range at Bay Hill, and it’s obviously better than that.”

McIlroy, who is also the defending Masters champion, also joked that the ‘drugs are working wonders’ for him.

The Northern Irishman tweaked his back as he was warming up in the gym over the weekend, and out of caution, called it quits for the Arnold Palmer.

That was only the second time McIlroy’s career that he withdrew from a PGA Tour event mid-competition, with the first being the 2013 Honda Classic.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates with the trophy after winning the playoff in the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass — McIlroy beat Spaun in a three-hole play-off to win The Players in 2025

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his tee shot on the first hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 05, 2026 — McIlroy has been battling a back injury and pulled out the Arnold Palmer

He won the event in 2025 against US star J.J. Spaun in a dramatic sudden-death play-off.

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