The Players: Rory McIlroy plans to delay arrival at TPC Sawgrass ahead of title defense due to ‘stubborn’ back injury | Golf News

Rory McIlroy is expected to be fit to defend his title at The Players, but will likely enter the tournament without a practice round at TPC Sawgrass.

McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational ahead of Saturday’s third round after feeling a “minor soreness” in his lower back during warm-ups before experiencing “muscle cramps” on the practice field.

World No. 2 McIlroy is understood to have postponed travel to the PGA Tour’s flagship event as he continues to deal with his issues and received treatment on the Monday and Tuesday of tournament week.

McIlroy’s pre-tournament press conference was originally scheduled for 7.45am local time (11.45am UK time) on Wednesday morning, but has been rescheduled and the Masters champion is scheduled to travel to Pontevedra later in the day ahead of the event starting on Thursday.

Caddy Harry Diamond was seen walking TPC Sawgrass during the first two days of practice ahead of McIlroy’s arrival, and Golf Channel reported that the five-time major champion will be on site starting Wednesday to monitor the progress of his injury.

“It’s a muscular issue (McIlroy). It’s not a structural or skeletal issue, but he has been resting and receiving treatment since missing the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday,” Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis said.

“Yesterday (Monday) he told me that he decided to stay home today because his hip adjustment was more stubborn than expected, but he is getting better day by day.

“His plan is to receive treatment at home in South Florida, and after treatment tomorrow morning, travel to the field here to begin preparing for The Players.

“His intention is to participate in The Players in 2026 as the defending champion. Most likely McIlroy will come out tomorrow and just hit balls in the players’ practice area, rather than playing a nine-hole or 18-hole practice round.”

“So when he tees up Thursday, if everything goes to plan and his back is cooperative, he’ll be seeing this golf course for the first time.”

The five-time major champion is scheduled to tee off at 1:42pm local time (5:42pm BST) on Thursday as part of a featured group coverage alongside two-time major champion Xander Schauffele and 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama.

He looks to join Scottie Scheffler as the only players to have defended a title at The Players, but a win would put McIlroy on par with Jack Nicklaus as the only three-time champions in tournament history.

McIlroy defeated J.J. Spawn in a playoff to win last year’s tournament on Monday, six years after hoisting the trophy in 2019. The Northern Irishman completed a career Grand Slam at the Masters a month later.

When will The Players be broadcast live on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports Golf will once again be home to The Players, broadcasting over 40 hours of live golf over four days, with plenty of additional live programming during tournament week.

“Live from The Players” will bring you the latest news from TPC Sawgrass on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., ahead of live coverage of the tournament starting Thursday.

Featured Groups, along with Featured Holes, will be available on Sky Sports+ throughout the week, and you’ll enjoy a bonus feed on top of the feed available each week during PGA Tour coverage.

Coverage begins at 11.30am on Thursdays and Fridays and at 1pm on weekends with Sky Sports Golf highlights and extra shows. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.

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