Rory McIlroy won the Masters in 2025, completing his career Grand Slam, and is now defending his Masters title at Augusta National this year. McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to his back injury. The PGA Tour confirmed McIlroy's withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational just before his third round on Saturday, and it is only the third time McIlroy has been forced to withdraw from a tournament.
The back spasms are not thought to be serious enough to keep him out of The Players Championship next week, where McIlroy is the defending champion. It is the first significant issue he has experienced with his back since the Tour Championship in 2023, when he played through discomfort. He is approaching a big stretch of consecutive tournaments that culminates with the defence of his Masters title between April 9-12.
McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond pleaded with him to chip out instead of attempting a risky recovery shot during the final round of the 2025 Masters, but McIlroy succeeded with the shot.
McIlroy skipped the Texas Open to manage his workload and focus on Masters preparation, and he also skipped the Valspar Championship. McIlroy's decision to skip the Texas Open was vindicated because adverse weather suspended the tournament. Several players skipped the Texas Open, including McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay, while several players skipped the Valspar Championship, including McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, and Cam Young.
J. Spaun in a playoff, but finished T46 in his Players Championship title defense in 2026. He shot a two-over par opening round at the 2026 Players Championship, citing rust and back discomfort.
McIlroy said he felt nervous and anxious during the 2025 Players Championship playoff.
McIlroy hosted the Masters Champions Dinner, featuring a menu inspired by his favorite New York restaurant, and his private jet (a Gulfstream G650ER) allows him flexibility for last-minute travel decisions to the Masters. Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after a car crash in Jupiter, Florida, and will miss the Masters. Only three players have won back-to-back Masters: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.
Collin Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship due to a back injury after one hole, and Ryan Fox withdrew from the Players Championship due to kidney stones requiring surgery. Robert MacIntyre led the Texas Open when play was suspended due to weather. After earlier weather delays during the day, play on Saturday finished with four players still to conclude their third round, with the round being completed instead on Sunday morning.
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.
Daniel Berger entered the day with a two shot lead over Akshay Bhatia, but after finally finishing the outlying two holes, his lead shrunk to just one. Berger had two-putted from 35 feet for birdie on the par-three 16th for a three-shot lead, but on the 18th his tee shot landed in the rough, forcing him to lay-up before missing the par putt and settling for an even-par 72. Bhatia, who had also birdied the 16th, halved the deficit at the 18th after his birdie putt stopped on the edge of the cup - he then stared at it, walked to the hole, stopped for a final look and saw it drop for a 68.
Austrian Ryder Cup star Sepp Straka is alongside Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa further three shots back on nine under after a third-round 66. England's Harry Hall is eight strokes off the pace in ninth after a 68, and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler posted a level-par 72 and is 10 shots behind Berger. Tommy Fleetwood signed a hat sponsorship deal with Blackstone.
Unfortunately, I'm not able to continue and have to withdraw.
The exact nature and severity of Rory McIlroy's back injury remains unclear, and it is unknown what specific treatment or recovery plan he is following. How these ceremonial duties as defending Masters champion are impacting McIlroy's preparation and focus is not fully known, adding another layer of uncertainty to his title defense. The prognosis for Tiger Woods' legal situation and his future in golf remains uncertain, casting a shadow over one of the sport's most iconic figures.
I was excited to compete this weekend. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year.