Rory McIlroy to defend Players title despite withdrawal from Invitational | Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is confident of defending his Players Championship title starting Thursday despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 35 minutes before his third round. McIlroy suffered back spasms, with the Northern Irishman unwilling to jeopardize his appearances at The Players and next month’s Masters by taking to the Bay Hill course. McIlroy will also defend the crown at Augusta National.

“While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a little twinge in my back,” McIlroy said. “When I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it got worse and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. Unfortunately, I am unable to continue and have to withdraw. I was excited to compete this weekend. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year.”

After a nice score of 68 on Friday, McIlroy was four under par and in the mix at this PGA Tour stop in Florida. Rather than try for a second victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy drove across the state to his home in West Palm Beach, where he will rest and take medical advice before his scheduled arrival in Sawgrass in northern Florida earlier this week. McIlroy is due to hold a players’ press conference on Wednesday morning, where a fitness update will now be the key theme.

This is only the second time in McIlroy’s PGA Tour career – and the first since 2013 – that he has withdrawn from an event. He experienced back problems before the 2023 Tour Championship but played and finished fourth. McIlroy’s departure continued the theme of high-profile departures from Bay Hill. Those who missed the halfway mark included Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Keegan Bradley.