Rory McIlroy Gives Back Injury Update Ahead of 2026 Masters Title Defense

There were some questions about whether last year's Masters winner would be ready to go this year amid a back injury, but Rory McIlroy ensured fans he's going into the tournament healthy.

McIlroy said he's "100 percent" ahead of the Masters.

"I feel like my game's in really good shape," McIlroy said (3:24 mark). "The last time people saw me, I wasn't physically in great shape, had the back issues, and I got through the Players' but certainly wasn't at 100 percent. I've taken the last three weeks to work on things and make sure I'm 100 percent coming in here, which I am."

McIlroy has been dealing with what he called a "stubborn" back injury for much of the year, and he last played at the Players Championship in early March. He said in mid-March that he planned to sit out all events in between the Players Championship and the Masters to ensure he'd be ready to go at Augusta National.

McIlroy won his first Masters last year, which also gave him a Career Grand Slam. He'll look to be the fourth golfer ever to go back-to-back at Augusta National.