PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Rory McIlroy is the defending champion of the Players Championship, capturing his second title at TPC Sawgrass last year in a three-hole playoff
However, there’s doubt growing for McIlroy being able to defend due to a back injury he suffered Saturday, one that forced him to withdraw before the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He hurt his back in the gym while working out before the round and felt it spasming while warming up, prompting him to WD from Bay Hill.
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As of Monday, McIlroy shared with Golf Channel that he wasn’t planning on arriving in Ponte Vedra Beach until Wednesday.
“The back is being a bit more stubborn than we thought, so I’m staying at home today and tomorrow to continue treatment in South Florida with the hope to travel to Ponte Vedra on Wednesday at some point,” told Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis via text message on Monday.
His WD from the Arnold Palmer was only the second in his PGA Tour career.
McIlroy is set to tee off at 1:42 p.m. ET Thursday off the first, playing alongside Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama. It’s hard to imagine McIlroy not giving it a go this week, but if his back doesn’t cooperate, he may not be able to defend his title.
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This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rory McIlroy injury update: Players status in doubt due to back
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