Rory McIlroy will make a last-minute decision on Thursday about whether to defend his Players Championship title, as he continues to feel the effects of a back injury sustained over the weekend. The Northern Irishman plans to assess his fitness during his pre-round range session before determining if he can play.
McIlroy arrived at the venue on Wednesday afternoon after withdrawing from the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He practised for about an hour, walking the back nine with a wedge and putter. The injury, a muscle problem, occurred in the gym on Saturday morning, leaving him largely inactive for three days.
“I’m taking it hour by hour, but it feels better,” McIlroy said. “I couldn’t stand to address the ball on Saturday morning on the range at Bay Hill and it’s better than that. So probably a game-time decision but all indications are pointing in the right direction. Hopefully I will have a good night tonight, the drugs are working wonders and then just keep it going from there.”
McIlroy described the sensation as “sensitivity” rather than pain. His first-round tee time is 1.42pm local time (5.42pm GMT), alongside Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama. Storms forecast for Thursday could delay play, aiding his recovery. “Even just hitting balls there for a little bit, I just feel like my muscles around the area just getting a little bit fatigued,” he added. “My right adductor started to cramp a little bit. But it’s fine, it’s expected.”
He recalled a similar issue at the 2023 Tour Championship, where he managed to play through discomfort. “I had this at the Tour Championship in 2023. I remember on Thursday I was in so much discomfort and chipping it around and got through the round. On Sunday I felt like a whole new person. So I’m hoping it starts to progress like that.”
McIlroy downplayed concerns about his lack of preparation, noting his familiarity with the course since 2009. He also confirmed there is no risk of long-term damage, as the injury is muscular rather than structural. “It’s not structural. It’s purely muscular sort of discomfort and fatigue. So there’s nothing [bad] I can do, I don’t think from what I’ve been told.”
