Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a back injury, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming Players Championship and The Masters. The Northern Irishman pulled out before his third round at Bay Hill after suffering back spasms during his warm-up.
McIlroy described the injury in a statement to the PGA Tour: 'While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back. As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back.' He added, 'Unfortunately, I'm not able to continue and have to withdraw.'
This is only the third time in McIlroy's PGA Tour career that he has withdrawn mid-tournament. Previous withdrawals include the 2009 Nedbank Golf Challenge (flu and food poisoning) and the 2013 Honda Classic (initially a sore wisdom tooth, later attributed to mental state).
The timing is particularly concerning as McIlroy is due to defend his Masters title from 9 April, having completed the career grand slam at Augusta last year. The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass begins next week.
