Tour Champs R1 | Rory McIlroy reveals how he injured his back: "I couldn't move"

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler endured a tough start to the PGA Tour's season ending finale at East Lake as Rory McIlroy battled through an injury.

Ben Smith

25 Aug 2023

Tour Champs R1 | Rory McIlroy reveals how he injured his back: "I couldn't move" — Tour Champs R1 | Rory McIlroy reveals how he injured his back: "I couldn't…

Rory McIlroy revealed he sustained a lower back injury foam rolling in his home gym after finding himself three back of the lead at the Tour Championship.

Scottie Scheffler started the PGA Tour's $75m season finale with a two-shot lead over the field at 10-under.

But by day's end a disastrous triple bogey six at the par-3 15th saw Scheffler post an opening round of 1-over 71.

You will not believe how many holes Scottie Scheffler went on the PGA Tour between making TRIPLE bogeys?!
I can't remember the last round I played that didn't include a triple bogey tbf
https://t.co/c7uG9f0ZLn
— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) August 25, 2023

It meant he finished the day in solo second at 9-under with Collin Morikawa, Ryder Cup hopeful Keegan Bradley and last week's BMW Championship winner Viktor Hovland sharing the lead at 10-under.

Related: Why is Rory still playing? questions PGA Tour winner

Morikawa carded an astonishing, bogey-free 9-under 61. Bradley's opener was an equally impressive 63 whereas Norway's Hovland found two birdies on the back nine for a bogey-free 68.

"Shoot, no better time, I guess, in our Tour Championship to show up and start playing some golf," a delighted Morikawa said.

McIlroy, chasing his fourth FedEx Cup title, looked in visible discomfort and rallied on the back nine to post a level par 70.

Alongside McIlroy on 7-under is reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm.

McIlroy told a pool of reporters how he sustained his injury after his round.

It turns out, his back went into spasm after he tried to stretch out after feeling a little tight.

He explained:

"So I think when I play a lot of golf, especially the end of the season, I always have to manage my right side. My right side always gets pretty tight, my rib cage, intercostals, lats, like, all the way down, right hip.

"On Tuesday morning I felt a little tight, and I went into my gym at home, and I just sort of foam-rolled and stretched. I went to grab something and my whole right side just completely seized up, spasm.

"So I spent two hours with the physio at home, flew up here, felt a little better, some treatment, then Wednesday morning still my right side was feeling better, and then went into the gym just to do some movements and stuff.

"I was at the bottom of a squat, a body-weight squat, and my whole lower back spasmed, seized up. I couldn't move. I honestly couldn't address the ball this time yesterday. So to get to where I am today is good."

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#INJURY — According to Golf Channel’s @ToddLewisGC, Rory McIlroy injured his lower back while at home this past week. After an uncomfortable warm up session, Rory is out on the course at East Lake. Follow @TrackingRory & @InjuryReportPGA for updates
pic.twitter.com/oKar32EJ30
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 24, 2023

He continued:

"So, yeah, I mean, I hung in there and I just felt like if I could get through today, it's better than it was yesterday, hopefully tomorrow's better than it was today, and just sort of try to keep progressing.

"So the fact that I'm only going to be -- whatever it's going to be, like, three or four off the lead, I'm over the moon about."

McIlroy said the thought of withdrawing was not on his mind. "I was always going to tee off," he said.

A host of players, including England's Tyrrell Hatton, Xander Schauffele and two of this year's major champions - Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman - are on 6-under.

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