Rory McIlroy has worked hard to win his first Masters title in 2025, but a new injury could prevent the golf star from defending his historic win.
The Northern Irishman was pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational ahead of his third round match this week. But McIlroy’s bigger concern is that he suffered a recent injury nearly a month before the 2026 Masters.
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McIlroy is sidelined for this weekend’s tournament due to a back injury, but the defense of his Masters title is in jeopardy in just 33 days.
Rory McIlroy has withdrawn. @APInv I suffered a back injury before the third round.
This is only the second WD of his PGA Tour career. pic.twitter.com/hxzb0Hy35q
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 7, 2026
The PGA Tour confirmed McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, marking only the second time a career Grand Slam winner has withdrawn from a PGA tournament.
Last year, the Northern Irishman completed a historic feat by winning his first Masters title at Augusta. McIlroy previously captured the missing piece of silverware from his collection after winning the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Open Championship.
More: Tiger Woods teases golf fans with health update before 2026 Masters
The 36-year-old opened the season in Dubai before finishing fifth on the DP World Tour and recently tied for second at the Genesis Invitational.
Rory McIlroy makes a putt on the 8th hole during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Image
If McIlroy recovers in time for the tournament, he will face stiff competition on the PGA Tour from top players such as Scotty Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Colin Morica.
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