Rory McIlroy Withdraws From Arnold Palmer Invitational With Back Injury

ORLANDO, Fla. – Rory McIlroy’s weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational never got started as he withdrew Saturday afternoon before his tee time with a back injury. It marks only the second withdrawal of McIlroy’s PGA Tour career, the first coming at the 2013 Honda Classic when he cited a toothache.

The world No. 2 felt discomfort during a pre-round gym session, tweaking a muscle in his back. He attempted to assess the injury on the range, hitting balls to see if he could play through it, but ultimately decided to withdraw approximately 30 minutes before his scheduled tee time alongside Ryan Fox.

“While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back,” McIlroy said in a statement released by the PGA Tour. “As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. Unfortunately, I’m not able 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.”

McIlroy entered the third round at 4-under par, following a strong 68 on Friday, but trailed 36-hole leader Daniel Berger by nine strokes. He was coming off a T2 finish at the Genesis Invitational, signaling a return to form after positive signs on the West Coast swing.

Earlier this week, McIlroy expressed confidence in his game, stating, “It feels like it’s in really good shape. I’m really happy with the signs that I saw at Pebble Beach and Riviera. I think I did really well in Strokes Gained: Approach in those two events. I drove the ball pretty well at Riviera. I just couldn’t make a putt for 27 holes. But I put that down to the sort of the very fast, bumpy poa annua. But I was really happy with where my game was coming out of the West Coast, and I’ve kept ticking along the past week and played some golf and I’m excited for these two weeks, I feel like I’m in good shape.”

The timing of the injury is particularly concerning given the upcoming major championship season. McIlroy is the defending champion at both next week’s Players Championship and the Masters Tournament, which is scheduled to begin in just over a month. He told Golfweek’s Adam Schupak that he was “all good” as he departed Bay Hill, suggesting he hopes to avoid any long-term setbacks.

McIlroy’s typical warmup routine involves putting first, but he deviated from that on Saturday, heading straight to the range after feeling the initial discomfort in his lower back. He acknowledged to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis that he might have been able to play, but ultimately prioritized rest and treatment to ensure he’s fit for TPC Sawgrass and Augusta National.

The withdrawal is the first time McIlroy has pulled out of a tournament after teeing off in 13 years. Austin Smotherman also withdrew from Saturday’s round with a back injury, adding to the concerns about the Bay Hill course conditions and the physical demands on players.

McIlroy is scheduled to hold a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. Ahead of The Players Championship. All eyes will be on the Northern Irishman as he provides an update on his condition and outlines his preparation for defending his title.