Rory McIlroy says his back injury is “much better” but admitted he will decide “in-game” whether to defend his title at The Players.
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.
McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, went to see a physical therapist in West Palm Beach that afternoon and delayed his arrival until Wednesday to continue treatment, a daily visit leading up to the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy arrives at TPC Sawgrass ahead of The Players Championship – following prior doubts about his participation in the tournament due to injury
McIlroy did not arrive at TPC Sawgrass until 2:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday, missing a practice round and unable to confirm whether he would definitely play.
“(Back) is better than he was before,” McIlroy said live on Sky Sports Golf from 11.30am on Thursday ahead of his title defense. “We have about 20 hours until we tee off or tee off tomorrow, so we’ll see.
“I’m practicing hour by hour and I’m feeling better. That’s all I can say. Addressing the ball on Saturday morning at Bay Hill’s practice field was unbearable, but I’m definitely feeling better than that.
“Well, it’s probably an in-game decision, but all signs are pointing in the right direction. I hope you get a good night tonight. The medication is working wonders, so we’ll just go from there.”
McIlroy is in the early second half of the first two round draw.
‘Sensitivity over pain’ – will McIlroy play?
McIlroy, who only hit a 6-iron during the practice session, had a press conference originally scheduled for earlier in the day postponed and spoke to the media after walking through nine holes with caddy Harry Diamond, wedge and putter in hand.
“I wouldn’t even call it pain. I think it’s more like hypersensitivity,” McIlroy added. “If I just hit the ball a little bit there, I feel like the muscles around it are getting a little tired.
McIlroy won The Players in 2019 and 2025.
“My right adductor muscle has started to cramp up a little bit, but it’s fine, that’s to be expected, but it’s more like sensitivity than pain.
“The good thing is you don’t really need a driver that much around here, especially with the stiffness of it. Obviously trying a longer club is something I’m going to have to work on tomorrow. I hit it up to a 6-iron there and it felt okay.”
McIlroy will be aiming to join Scottie Scheffler as the only players to successfully defend his title at The Players, but a win this week would put him in line with Jack Nicklaus as the only three-time champions in the tournament’s history.
“I’ve been playing here since 2009, so it’s not like I’m a stranger to the place,” McIlroy said of the possibility of playing without a practice round. “The setup for March this year looks quite different than in previous years.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Check out the best shots of McIlroy’s 2025 Players Championship win as he looks to defend his title this week at TPC Sawgrass.
“I prefer playing my short game and putting on the course rather than on the practice range. Just getting a better feel for the shots I need. I know the line off the tee, the club off the tee, all that stuff, but just feeling how the ball reacts on the green.”
The five-time major champion is scheduled to tee off at 1:42pm local time (5:42pm in the UK and Ireland) on Thursday as part of a featured group coverage alongside two-time major champion Xander Schauffele and 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rich Beam and Nick Doherty discuss the future direction of the PGA Tour ahead of The Players, including simpler storylines and more appearances from the game’s top stars
As for whether there was a risk of playing through the injury, McIlroy added: “It’s not structural, it’s not articular, so I’m fine. It’s just purely muscular discomfort and fatigue. I’m obviously going to listen to what I’ve been told and what the experts are saying, but there’s nothing I can do to jeopardize that.”
“I don’t think there’s any risk of damage if you play.”
Who will win The Players? Watch live all week on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Sky Sports Golf at 11.30am on Thursdays and Fridays, and at 1pm on weekends. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
