Rory McIlroy injury update: ‘Game-time decision’ for The Players with back spasms

Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational Saturday due to muscle spasms in his back. While he had originally planned to report to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on Tuesday to begin the defense of his Players Championship title, lingering soreness delayed his arrival at TPC Sawgrass until Wednesday, calling his status for the tournament into question.

After saying Monday that his back was “more stubborn than we thought,” McIlroy arrived Wednesday and spent time on the practice field, the first time he hit balls since his retirement at Bay Hill. After swinging only irons during his range session, McIlroy received additional treatment before providing an update on his status.

“It’s better. It’s better than before. I hit it up to the 6-iron on the range there, and it felt good,” McIlroy said. “I have about… 20 hours until I start, or until I’m supposed to start. [Thursday]. So yeah, we’ll see. I kind of take it hour by hour. But it’s getting better. That’s all I can say.

“I couldn’t bear to address the ball Saturday morning in the Bay Hill stand, and it’s obviously better than that. So, yeah, probably a game-time decision, but all the indications are pointing in the right direction, so hopefully good night tonight. The meds are working wonders, and then go from there.”

McIlroy clarified that there were no structural issues with his back; it’s just a muscular problem with “discomfort and fatigue”. There is no risk of seriously injuring your back while playing. That said, on a course as challenging and challenging as TPC Sawgrass, it’s less than ideal to struggle with physical discomfort on top of the mental anguish provided by Pete Dye’s gem.

The injury occurred as McIlroy was preparing to play his third round at Bay Hill. After trying to relax his back, he was unable to get full cooperation and withdrew from the tournament about half an hour before his start time.

McIlroy said he probably could have tried to get out of it; However, he did not want to risk making things worse before a critical part of the season, especially when trying to defend his championships at The Players and Masters over the next month. As he aims to play Thursday, he’ll have to work his way around TPC Sawgrass without any practice rounds under his belt.

The positive side is that McIlroy, a two-time winner at The Players, won’t need much practice to get to grips with the golf course, given its familiarity. However, it’s far from ideal to enter an event with ongoing back issues and few reps in preparation for a test as demanding as TPC Sawgrass.

McIlroy is still the second favorite to win the Players at 15-1, according to DraftKings.