Rory McIlroy Withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational with Injury Ahead of Players Championship

Rory McIlroy, the World's No. 2 golfer, has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a back injury.

McIlroy shot even-par on Thursday before carding a four-under 68 on Friday to move into a tie for ninth heading into the third round.

Todd Lewis provided a report on Golf Channel after speaking with McIlroy off camera.

Lewis said McIlroy woke up feeling fine but tweaked something in his lower back while working out in the gym on Saturday morning. Instead of going to the putting greens for practice as planned, he decided to test out his back on the driving range. His back did not get better, and TV cameras later showed him speaking with a physio before withdrawing.

McIlroy told Lewis that he could have possibly played Saturday. However, he had concern about making the situation worse with big tournaments on the horizon, including the Players Championship next week and the Masters from April 9-12. McIlroy is the defending Masters champion.

Ultimately, Lewis said McIlroy decided the risk wasn't worth the reward of playing, so he will get treatment and rest in hopes of being ready for the Players, which begins Thursday.

McIlroy had played in two tournaments this season entering the week. He tied for 14th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am before tying for second at the Genesis Invitational the week after.

McIlroy is a 29-time winner on the PGA Tour who now has five major championships to his name after taking his first Masters last year.