Rory McIlroy provides last-minute Players update: "The drugs are working wonders"

Rory McIlroy says he will make a "game-time decision" over whether he will attempt to defend his Players Championship title. 

McIlroy, 36, withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week ahead of the third round. 

The Northern Irishman tweaked his back as he was warming up in the gym and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to call it quits. 

It was only the second time McIlroy's career that he withdrew from a PGA Tour-event mid-competition, with the first at the 2013 Honda Classic. 

McIlroy arrived at TPC Sawgrass late on Wednesday and registered for the tournament. 

He hit shots on the range whilst his caddie Harry Diamond scoped the course. 

McIlroy told reporters his back was "better than it was" with around 20 hours remaining until his tee time on Thursday. 

Although the first shot he hit on the range was "terrible". 

"It was like a skulled wedge," he said. "I was trying to chip it 30 yards and it went about 100. But apart from that, it was okay."

Addressing whether he will make it to the first tee, he said. "I'm taking it sort of hour by hour. But it feels better. That's all I can say. 

"Like I couldn't stand to address the ball on Saturday morning on the range at Bay Hill, and it's obviously better than that.

"So, yeah, probably a game-time decision, but all indications are pointing in the right direction, so hopefully good night tonight. 

"The drugs are working wonders, and then just keep it going from there."

McIlroy said he wasn't in any pain as he spoke to reporters. 

"I would say just more like sensitivity," he added. 

"It's not really on the site or like it's sort of more like the big ... like even just hitting balls there for a little bit, just feel like my muscles around the area just getting a little bit, like, fatigued. 

"[The] right adductor started to cramp a little bit. But it's fine; it's expected. But more like sensitivity rather than pain."

McIlroy said he did not hit any drivers, adding that he believes he may not need to use it around the Stadium Course. 

"I'm going to have to try to do [that] tomorrow," he said. "But as I said, I hit up until 6-iron there and it felt okay."

McIlroy later walked nine holes with a wedge and putter. 

"I would much rather do sort of short game and putting on the course rather than on the practice area, just get a better feel for the shots that you need," he said. 

McIlroy is scheduled to tee off on day one alongside Xander Schauffelle and Hideki Matsuyama at 1:42pm EST (5:42pm GMT).

The 36-year-old won The Players for the second time in his career 12 months ago. He first won it in 2019.

Last year, McIlroy defeated America's J.J. Spaun in a sudden-death play-off.

It proved to be the catalyst for a stunning first triumph at The Masters, a victory that also become only the sixth male golfer in history to complete the career grand slam.

McIlroy also won the Irish Open at the K Club before playing a starring role for Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Should McIlroy play and win The Players this week, it would see him become only the second golfer after Scottie Scheffler to win the tournament back-to-back. 

He would also join Jack Nicklaus as a three-time winner of The Players.