Rory McIlroy forced out before third round of Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIIroy has cast doubt on whether he will be able to defend his Masters title next month.

The Northern Irishman is in Florida this week competing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

It is the third signature event of the 2026 PGA Tour season, featuring a field of 72 players and a $20m prize purse.

McIlroy started slowly in the first round, carding a level par opener, but made a small move up the leaderboard on day two, making four birdies on his back nine yesterday to card a 68 and reach four-under.

He was hoping for a big moving day to try and put a dent in Daniel Berger's lead.

But the 36-year-old withdrew 30 minutes before his tee time on Saturday at Bay Hill, citing a back injury.

McIlroy was filmed warming up for his 12:55 ET (17:55 GMT) tee time alongside New Zealand's Ryan Fox.

But he was listed as a withdrawal minutes before his tee time.

According to Golf Channel reporter Todd Lewis, McIlroy felt a tweak during his pre-round workout and "tried to grit it out on the range".

But he ultimately decided to be cautious, given that he will defend his Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass later this month before heading to Augusta National for the first men's major of the year.

McIlroy told Lewis he "possibly could have played through" the pain. 

Video later surfaced of McIlroy leaving Bay Hill, followed by caddie Harry Diamond.

He gave a few fist bumps to spectators and clutched his back.

A statement released on McIlroy's behalf read: "While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back.

"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."

Watch the clip here:

McIlroy's season far has been mixed.

He began the calendar year, as ever, in the Middle East and shared third place at the Dubai Invitational.

The following week, McIlroy looked a tad rusty as he shared 33rd place at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

He took some time off and made his first start of the PGA Tour season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. 

McIlroy won the tournament last year and shared 14th place in 2026.

His game looked good at the Genesis Invitational, but the Ulsterman struggled on the greens.

A birdie on the 72nd hole at Riviera Country Club saw him finish runner-up to Jacob Bridgeman.

Earlier this week, McIlroy weighed in on Jon Rahm's refusal to settle a long-running dispute with the DP World Tour.

He also insisted his game was trending in the right direction.

"It feels like it's in really good shape," he said.  

"I'm really happy with the signs that I saw at Pebble Beach and Riviera.

"I think I did really well in strokes gained approach in those two events. I drove the ball pretty well at Riviera. I just couldn't make a putt for 27 holes.

"But I put that down to the sort of the very fast, bumpy poa annua [greens].

"But I was really happy with where my game was coming out of the West Coast, and I've kept ticking along the past week and played some golf and I'm excited for these two weeks, I feel like I'm in good shape."