Rory McIlroy Gives Update on 'Stubborn' Back Injury Ahead of The Players Championship

Rory McIlroy's status for the upcoming Players Championship remains very much up in the air after withdrawing from last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a back issue.

"The back is being a bit more stubborn than we thought, so I'm staying at home today and tomorrow to continue treatment in South Florida with the hope to travel to Ponte Vedra on Wednesday at some point," he told Golf Channel's Todd Lewis.

McIlroy, 36, pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational ahead of Saturday's third round.

"While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back," he said in a statement at the time. "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. I was excited to compete this weekend. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year."

Lewis did report that McIlroy mostly pulled out of the tournament for precautionary reasons, but Monday's news isn't the most encouraging sign ahead of Thursday's start to The Players Championship.

The tournament wouldn't quite feel the same without McIlroy. He's the defending champion at the event and also won it in 2019.

Thus far this season he's finished in a tie for 14th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and tied for second at The Genesis Invitational during PGA Tour events.