2026-03-12 11:56:58

Rory McIlroy says he will make a last-minute decision on whether to compete at The Players Championship.

The Northern Irish golfer’s preparation for his title defence at TPC Sawgrass has been hampered by a back injury – which caused him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week – and he admits that he will leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to play at the tournament that begins on Thursday (12.03.26).

Asked about his injury, McIlroy said: “It’s better than it was. I hit up until a six-iron on the range there and it felt OK.

“I’m taking it sort of hour by hour. But it feels better. That’s all I can say.

“I couldn’t stand to address the ball on Saturday morning on the range at Bay Hill, and it’s obviously better than that.

“So, yeah, probably a game-time decision, but all indications are pointing in the right direction, so hopefully a good night tonight. The drugs are working wonders.”

The five-time major champion is confident that he won’t aggravate the injury if he does compete at Sawgrass.

McIlroy said: “It’s not structural, it’s not joint, it’s fine.

“It’s purely a muscular sort of discomfort and fatigue. Obviously I’ll listen to the professionals. But there’s nothing that I can do that’s going to harm that.

“Things are getting better, but yeah, I don’t think it’s something where if I play I’m at risk of doing any damage.”

McIlroy is looking to win the third Players title of his career and explained that his experience on the course means that he could enter the tournament without a practice round.

The world number two said: “I’ve been playing here since 2009, so it’s not like I don’t know the place. It seems like a pretty different set-up this year than what it’s been in previous years in March.

“I would much rather do short game and putting on the course rather than on the practice area, just get a better feel for the shots that you need. Lines off tees and clubs off tees – I know all of that stuff, but it’s just getting a feel of how the ball’s reacting on the greens.”

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