Rory McIlroy provides latest update on back and possible schedule change ahead of The Masters

Rory McIlroy admitted he was relieved to finish The Players Championship feeling healthy, even if his scorecard didn’t fully reflect his efforts. 

“Happy I got through four days and my body feels good,” the Northern Irishman said after carding a 1-under 71 on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass.

The two-time Players champion came into the tournament still feeling the effects of a back injury that forced him to withdraw from the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend. 

Despite the pain, defending champion McIlroy, 36, battled through and posted rounds of 74, 71, 72, and 71 to finish level par and outside the top 50. 

McIlroy finished his final round an hour before leader Ludvig Aberg teed off on Sunday. 

“I feel like my game sort of progressively got a little bit better as the week went on, even though the scores probably didn’t reflect it. I hit the ball well; I just didn’t make anything on the greens. Happy to come through four rounds and feel like my body held up well,” McIlroy told reporters after his final round. 

Sunday was a rollercoaster. McIlroy opened with a double-bogey six at the 1st hole but responded with four birdies across eight holes from the 5th. 

A standout moment came on the par-4 12th, where he hit a 367-yard drive to reach the green and two-putted for birdie. 

However, disaster struck immediately after at the par-3 13th, where his tee shot found water for another double-bogey. 

He added a birdie on the par-5 16th and closed with pars on the iconic 17th and 18th holes.

“This wasn’t the week I wanted,” McIlroy admitted, “but it was important to make the weekend and take the positives. A couple of things to work on, but overall, happy to come through four rounds and feel like my body held up well.”

Looking ahead, McIlroy will defend his Masters title at Augusta National from 9–12 April. 

The grand slam champion has yet to decide whether to add another PGA Tour event before then, depending on how his back responds to full practice and gym work. 

“I'll see. I haven't really made a decision either way. I'll see how my body feels. We'll see how I feel in practice and at home and if I get itchy feet at home maybe add an event at some point,” McIlroy told reporters at TPC Sawgrass. 

McIlroy also spoke about whether he will make Boston Common Golf's TGL Playoffs match on Tuesday night. 

“We'll see. Yeah, geez, I haven't even — yeah, we'll see…”