Rory McIlroy back injury: Defending Masters champion powering through spasms in hunt for back-to-back green jackets
Despite a back injury during the Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy is still vying for his second straight Green Jacket.
Rory McIlroy back injury: Defending Masters champion powering through spasms in hunt for back-to-back green jackets originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Rory McIlroy was on top of the golfing world in 2025.
The man from Northern Ireland won his first-ever Green Jacket, completing golf's grand slam before leading Team Europe to an upset win over the U. S. at the Ryder Cup.
While his 2026 season began with two strong starts (T14: 17-under at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T2: 17-under at The Genesis Invitational), he was forced to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard due to lower back muscle spasms ahead of the third round. McIlroy would later play at The Players Championship the following week, but showed signs of rust after finishing T-46 with an even par. Here's a look at McIlroy's back injury in March, which he is not letting affect his chances of winning the first back-to-back Green Jackets since Tiger Woods.
MORE: Full Masters TV and streaming schedule Rory McIlroy back injury McIlroy's injury came the morning of his third round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard on March 7 while warming up at the gym. Here is the North Irishman's full statement: Statement from Rory McIlroy: “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.