March 5, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Rory McIlroy walks the 14th green during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Image Defending champion Rory McIlroy will have a game-time decision Thursday at The Players Championship.
The world No. 2 from Northern Ireland arrived in Ponte Vedra Beach late Wednesday afternoon after withdrawing from Saturday’s Arnold Palmer Invitational after hyperextending her lower back while warming up in the gym.
McIlroy tested his swing on the practice range for about 25 minutes before speaking with reporters at TPC Sawgrass.
“It’s better. It’s better than it used to be. I hit a 6-iron on the range and it felt good. I don’t know if it’s 20 hours until I tee off or if I’m supposed to tee off tomorrow. Yeah, we’ll see. As the hour goes by, I feel better. That’s all I can say. Bay Hill, and it’s definitely better than that.
“So, yeah, it’s probably a game-time decision, but all signs are pointing in the right direction, so I hope you sleep well tonight. The medication is working wonders and it just goes on from there.”
McIlroy said he hasn’t been able to do much since undergoing physiotherapy on Saturday but is now unable to tolerate the pain.
“I would say it’s more like just sensitivity,” he said. “It’s not really on the field. Or maybe it’s a little bigger. It feels like the muscles around that area are getting a little tired just by hitting the ball a little bit. I’ve started to get a little cramp in my right adductor. But that’s okay. That’s expected. But it’s more of a sensitivity than a pain.”
McIlroy won last year’s playoff win over JJ Spaun. Like Scottie Scheffler (2023, 2024), McIlroy is a two-time champion after first winning the PGA Tour’s flagship event in 2019.
Only Jack Nicklaus has won the tournament three times.
“I’ve been playing here since 2009, so it’s not like I don’t know this place,” McIlroy said. “We’re now going to walk nine holes with our wedges and putters. We’re going to get a feel for the roughness around the greens and how firm they are. It seems like a much different setup this year than it was in March last year.”
He went through something similar at the 2023 Tour Championship, so he’s confident the sensitivity will lessen as the week goes on, adding he’s not concerned about aggravating his back.
“It’s not structural, it’s not communal, and that’s OK,” the five-time major winner said. “It’s purely muscular discomfort and fatigue. So there’s nothing I can do. From what I’ve heard, I’ll definitely listen to a professional, but there’s nothing I can do that won’t harm it.”
–Field level media
