Golf Mastery: Prodigies Clash for a Thrilling Upset-Fueled Classic
Rory McIlroy says his back is in better shape then it was a week ago, but whether he might make another start before defending his Masters title remains unclear
PONTE VEDRA BEACH — If TPC Sawgrass offers a major championship pop quiz every year, Rory McIlroy doesn’t know if he’ll need to take another test before the Masters. The World No. 2 navigated a back injury that interrupted his preparation for the Players Championship, where a final-round 71 left him at even-par 288 for the week.
The defending Players champion then spoke with reporters about the shape of his game three weeks out from play at Augusta National. “I’m happy I got through four days and my body feels good,” McIlroy said. “I feel like my game sort of progressively got a little bit better as the week went on, even though the scores probably didn't reflect it over the weekend.
I feel like it was important to make the weekend here and play an extra couple of days. ” McIlroy is on the fence about adding another tournament ahead of competing at Augusta. After next week’s Valspar Invitational near Tampa, Fla.
, the PGA Tour heads to the Lone Star state for the Texas Children’s Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open. McIlroy has played one of each tournament during the past two years, including a T-5 at Houston’s Memorial Park before his Masters triumph at year ago. “I'll see.