Rory McIlroy’s weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational never got started as he withdrew Saturday afternoon before his tee time with a back injury.
It’s just the second WD of McIlroy’s PGA Tour career. The first came at the 2013 Honda Classic when he was 7 over and cited a toothache.
According to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the World No. 2 tweaked something in his back during a pre-round gym session. After tweaking his back, McIlroy went to the range to hit some balls and see if he could work through it. He ultimately decided not to push it, but told Lewis that he didn’t want to push it with the major season on the horizon.
During his gym warm up at the @APinv Saturday @McIlroyRory tweaked a muscle in his lower back. He tried to work through it but ultimately decided to WD. Rory told me he could have possibly played through it but with @THEPLAYERS & @TheMasters coming up it was best to be cautious.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) March 7, 2026
Speaking with @McIlroyRory in the locker room he wasn’t in extreme discomfort. Hoping with rest and treatment McIlroy will be ready to defend next week at @THEPLAYERS.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) March 7, 2026
McIlroy fired a 4-under 68 on Friday to jump into the top 10, but still entered the weekend nine shots behind 36-hole leader Daniel Berger.
The career Grand Slam winner is the defending champion at next week’s Players Championship and at the Masters, which is 33 days away. McIlroy told Golfweek’s Adam Schupak that he was “all good” as he left the Bay Hill property.
McIlroy, who defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole playoff at last year’s Players, is scheduled to have his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday at 7:45 a.m.
Josh Schrock
Golf.com Editor
Josh Schrock is a writer and reporter for Golf.com. Before joining GOLF, Josh was the Chicago Bears insider for NBC Sports Chicago. He previously covered the 49ers and Warriors for NBC Sports Bay Area. A native Oregonian and UO alum, Josh spends his free time hiking with his wife and dog, thinking of how the Ducks will break his heart again, and trying to become semi-proficient at chipping. A true romantic for golf, Josh will never stop trying to break 90 and never lose faith that Rory McIlroy’s major drought will end (updated: he did it). Josh Schrock can be reached at josh.schrock@golf.com.
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