Rory McIlroy Hints at Lingering Concern Despite a Decent Finish at the $25 Million PGA Tour Event

Mar 14, 2026, 6:21 AM CUT

GOLF AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Northern Ireland s Rory McIlroy looks on after teeing off on the third hole during round four of the Australian Open Golf tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Sunday, December 7, 2025. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xJAMESxROSSx 20251207115494266978

Rory McIlroy survived the cut at THE PLAYERS Championship. But his real battle isn't with the leaderboard. McIlroy is fighting a lingering back injury that still leaves his weekend performance in doubt. After securing his place for the weekend, McIlroy addressed his physical condition.

“Yeah. No, it feels pretty much there. Not all the way there, but I feel like it's just progressively getting better each and every day.”

His participation in the event had been uncertain. McIlroy entered the week as a game-time decision after withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms the previous week.

March 6, 2026, Orlando, Florida, USA: Rory McIlroy tees off the 9th hole during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am presented by Mastercard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20260306_fap_w109_013 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx

The five-time major winner then described when he first noticed the issue.

“No, because I'm a little more upright with the driver with the longer stuff. It's more when I get over it. So chipping yesterday or when the ball was below my feet, not that I felt it, it was okay. I just had a hard time trusting it more than anything else.”

The first round reflected limited preparation when the career grand slam winner opened with a 2-over 74 and did not record a birdie on any of the par-5 holes, leaving him several shots behind the early leaders.

He responded in the second round with a 1-under 71. A birdie on his final hole, the par-5 ninth, moved him to 1-over for the tournament and secured his place inside the cutline.

With a two-round total of 1-over-par 145, finishing one stroke inside the cutline, the defending champion advanced to the weekend at T51, 13 shots behind leader Ludvig Åberg at the halfway stage.

The 36-year-old added that the most recent round reassured him: “But today, I think having a day where I was like, okay, that was fine, I didn't really feel anything. I woke up this morning and felt fine.”

The situation began earlier in the week before arriving at TPC Sawgrass.

How Rory McIlroy’s Back Injury Developed Before THE PLAYERS Championship

Rory McIlroy’s injury occurred during a gym session when he overextended while performing a hinge movement.

Trending slideshow: 6 Rory McIlroy Shots That Took Over the 2025 PGA TOUR Season

Eknoor Juneja 6 Rory McIlroy Shots That Took Over the 2025 PGA TOUR Season

1. The Spyglass Slam Dunk Ace (February 2025) — You have to see this to believe it because, standing 119 yards out at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Rory hit a wedge shot that disappeared directly into the cup without ever touching the green. This was his 2nd career PGA Tour ace and a shot so rare it redefined the term slam dunk. It defied physics and sparked a spectacular final round charge. Brian Spurlock/Imago/Icon Sportswire

Setting the Tone at Pebble Beach — That ace was a massive statement that anchored a final round 6-under 66 for a 2-shot victory with a 21-under par score at the season opener. This victory marked his 27th PGA Tour title and showcased newfound confidence in his wedge play under pressure. It was a career-defining win at a cathedral of golf that set the tone for his historic season. Brian Spurlock/Imago/Icon Sportswire

2. Driving a Par-4 into Submission (February 2025) — Rory simply went into full attack mode on a par-4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in the year. He drove the green with a massive 3-wood that stopped just 5 feet from the pin. This was pure intimidation that forced the field to rethink their entire strategy against his distance advantage. You just do not see players attack a green like that. Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire/Imago

Annihilating the Field with Power — He led the field in driving distance all week by averaging over 330 yards off the tee. That eagle on the par-5 14th effectively ended the final-round drama and secured his win, along with a huge $3.6 million prize. His power remains a terrifying weapon in professional golf, and it was the primary tool he used to dominate the early-season schedule. Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire/Imago

3. Bending a 5-Iron Around History (April 2025) — The Masters was finally within his grasp, but danger lurked everywhere. Rory pulled a 5-iron on the 15th and curved it violently around towering pines for a 209-yard rope that somehow found the green. It was an aggressive gamble that created a critical eagle opportunity and kept his historic Career Grand Slam hopes alive when the pressure was most intense. Wu Xiaoling/Imago/Xinhua

Mental Resilience on the Back Nine — This gutsy shot came immediately after a brutal 4-over stretch on holes 11-14 that threatened to derail his dream. That resulting eagle putt moved him back into contention and showcased the immense mental resilience he had built over a decade of close calls. It was a massive momentum shifter during a thrilling back nine where he ultimately triumphed in a playoff. Wu Xiaoling/Imago/Xinhua

4. Mastering the Fescue at Augusta (April 2025) — Buried in thick fescue during the final round of the Masters on the 3rd hole, Rory faced a nightmare lie. He played a delicate chip that skipped perfectly across the green to save a critical par that kept him in the lead. Rory himself called this short game wizardry the most crucial moment for settling his nerves on that iconic Sunday. Wu Xiaoling/Imago/Xinhua

The Return of the Short Game Maestro — This improved short game was a direct result of shoring up his wedge play with new equipment and a higher-spinning ball. His improved scrambling and sand saves were the underrated contributors to his major victory that April which was his 1st in 11 years. He finally joined the elite group of only 6 players to achieve a Career Grand Slam. Wu Xiaoling/Imago/Xinhua

5. The K Club 55-Foot Birdie Bomb (September 2025) — His putting has often been criticized by the media, but this 55-foot bomb at the Irish Open silenced everyone. He conquered a treacherous back-to-front green that forced a playoff he would eventually win on the 3rd extra hole. This clutch moment sealed a long-awaited 2025 Irish Open title for the home hero in front of a record-breaking crowd. Al Chang/Imago/ZUMA Press Wire/Isi Photos

Home Crowd Heroics in Kildare — He was 4 shots back to start the final day and needed something special after draining a 40-footer earlier in the round. He actually needed a final hole eagle just to force that playoff, and it showcased his incredible ability to thrive under pressure. The roars at the K Club were absolutely deafening as he secured his 1st win on home soil since 2016. Jason Allen/Imago/ZUMA Press Wire/Isi Photos

6. Ryder Cup Grandstand Magic (September 2025) — You need some luck to win big, and hitting the grandstands at the Ryder Cup only to see the ball bounce back onto the green was pure magic. He did not waste the opportunity and drained the walk-off birdie putt to steal the point from the Americans. It was a fortunate moment that swung the momentum hard in favor of the European team. Jesper Zerman/Imago/Bildbyran

Sealing the Historic Away Win — This moment highlighted the luck of a champion in a year where Rory contributed 3.5 points to help secure Europe 1st away win since 2012. He won the Masters and the Irish Open while topping the Race to Dubai for a record-tying 6th time. What an extraordinary year for the Ulsterman as he ends 2025 as the undisputed world number 1. Jesper Zerman/Imago/Bildbyran

He first felt a twinge that later developed into muscle spasms during warm-ups before the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 7, 2026. The issue forced him to withdraw from the event.

Medical checks confirmed the problem was muscular rather than structural or related to the joints, allowing him to continue competing.

Before the tournament, McIlroy also delayed his arrival at TPC Sawgrass to receive daily treatment sessions with a physiologist in South Florida.

Do you think Rory McIlroy can contend this weekend despite the back issue?

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar