Arnold Palmer Invitational withdrawal won’t stop McIlroy’s Players title defense
Rory McIlroy withdrew from the arnold palmer invitational minutes before his third round due to lower-back spasms, yet says he still plans to defend his Players Championship title this week. As of Saturday at 5: 40 p. m. ET, the world No 2 was resting and seeking further medical guidance.
McIlroy withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational with back spasms
McIlroy pulled out roughly 35 minutes before his third-round tee time at Bay Hill after a warm-up “twinge” in the gym turned into muscle spasms on the range. In an official statement, he said the pain worsened as he began hitting balls, leaving him unable to continue.
He had shot a fine 68 on Friday to reach four under par and remained in the mix at this PGA Tour stop in Florida. Rather than risk his planned title defense at The Players and next month’s Masters at Augusta National, he chose to withdraw and prioritize recovery.
This is just the second withdrawal of McIlroy’s PGA Tour career and the first since 2013. He managed back issues before the 2023 Tour Championship but played through them and finished fourth. On Saturday he headed to his home in West Palm Beach to rest and consult medical staff.
Medical evaluation is next. He is set to have MRI scans and further assessment, and is likely to undergo intensive physio over the coming days with the aim of teeing it up at TPC Sawgrass. “I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year, ” McIlroy said.
Players Championship plan: Sawgrass arrival and Wednesday press conference
Despite the setback, McIlroy remains confident of defending his Players Championship title from Thursday. He plans to arrive at Sawgrass at the start of the week, with a scheduled press conference on Wednesday morning where his fitness will be the central topic.
McIlroy also faces a defense at the Masters at Augusta National next month, underscoring the delicate timing of this setback during a tightly packed stretch. He remains entered in The Players, which carries a $25 million purse and a $4. 5 million winner’s share.
After his 68 and four-under total at Bay Hill, McIlroy was tracking another contending week before the withdrawal. Even so, the decision to step away from competition at the arnold palmer invitational highlights his intent to avoid aggravating the issue ahead of the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
Bay Hill field: Daniel Berger leads after delay; Scheffler falters
Action at Bay Hill carried on without McIlroy. A one-hour storm delay began shortly before 3: 00 p. m. ET on Saturday, pushing the third round into Sunday morning. Leader Daniel Berger will return early Sunday to complete his third round.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler saw hopes of a third Arnold Palmer title fade at the 18th, where his second shot from rough found the water. He denied that the Bay Hill setup was too severe in relation to the calendar, noting the small margins demanded by the course.
Several big names were already out by the cut, including Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Keegan Bradley. Viktor Hovland’s 67 left him poised for a Sunday move, while Sepp Straka’s 66 pushed him to nine under and firmly into contention as play rolled into the final day.
For now, McIlroy’s status for The Players remains the week’s pivotal storyline. His team will balance rest and treatment as he targets Sawgrass and then Augusta National in succession.
The next confirmed checkpoint is McIlroy’s Players Championship press conference on Wednesday morning (ET), with the tournament beginning Thursday. An exact ET time for his media session has not been announced.
