McIlroy Withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational with Back Injury
Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando after developing muscle spasms in his lower back on Saturday morning, ending his participation in the tournament before the third round could begin.
The PGA Tour announced the withdrawal approximately 30 minutes before McIlroy's scheduled tee time, with the five-time major winner subsequently issuing a statement explaining the sequence of events that led to his exit.
"While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back," McIlroy said. "As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. Unfortunately, I'm not able to continue and have to withdraw."
The Northern Irishman had been in contention on the leaderboard heading into the weekend, holding a share of ninth place at four under par after carding a second-round 68 on Friday. That score, which followed an opening even par round, moved him up the standings. He had birdied four of the first seven holes on the back nine during that second round, and said afterward he was "really pleased" with what he described as a "controlled, patient round of golf." He was nine shots off the lead at the time of his withdrawal.
The injury marks only the second occasion McIlroy has withdrawn from a PGA Tour event mid-competition, the first being at the Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches in 2013.
The timing is a concern, albeit a measured one. McIlroy is due to defend his title at the Players Championship at Sawgrass next week, and is then scheduled to return to Augusta for the Masters, which runs from 9 to 12 April. According to reports, he is expected to be fit in time to compete at Sawgrass. Last April, McIlroy secured a play-off victory at Augusta against Justin Rose to become the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam, ending an 11-year wait across golf's four major championships.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational was only McIlroy's third PGA Tour event of the 2026 season, and his withdrawal hands greater focus to the leading group at Bay Hill.
American Daniel Berger moved to 13 under par after a third-round 68, extending his lead to five shots over the field. Berger, who has not won on the PGA Tour since 2021, is in position to claim the tournament's top prize of £3 million. Compatriot Akshay Bhatia was placed second overnight at eight under par following a round of 66.
