"A bit worrying" - Former Ryder Cup captain outlines Rory McIlroy Masters concerns

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has revealed what he believes will prevent Rory McIlroy from joining another exclusive club.

McIlroy, 36, will make the trip up Magnolia Lane next week for the annual Masters Tournament. 

He will do so as the defending champion, having triumphed over his Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff 12 months ago at Augusta National to seal the grand slam. 

Should he slip on the green jacket again, he would join Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo as the only players to successfully defend the title. 

But his preparation for the first men's major of the year has been hampered by a back injury that forced him to withdraw mid-competition during the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

He returned to action a week later at the Players and, although he participated in the TGL finals, elected not to play either of the two PGA Tour events in Texas before heading to Georgia.

And McGinley is worried about McIlroy's "underwhelming prep". 

"It [the back injury] really cost him two tournaments, Bay Hill, where he was doing okay after two rounds and had to pull out with a back injury, and the following week [at the Players], when he actually did play, but with no preparation," McGinley told Sky Sports. 

"He finished well down the field and his stats were well off the pace there.  It is a bit worrying. 

"He did get distracted, although he says he's over the injury now and he's taken a few weeks off. 

"He's at home in Florida practicing and getting ready."

McGinley believes lack of competitive reps won't be the only thing that will divert McIlroy's attention away from the course.

He added: "It's always difficult to defend at the Masters. 

"There are so many obligations you have as a defending champion, not just hosting the dinner on Tuesday night for past champions.

"He'll probably be around there at the ladies’ event before that and maybe even the Drive, Chip and Putt for the kids the day before. 

"So there are a lot of obligations, a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny."

Rory McIlroy drops PGA Tour event from his schedule

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy appears to be skipping the Zurich Classic of New Orleans next month. 

McIlroy has played in the tournament, a team event, twice. 

He teamed up with Shane Lowry in 2024 and the duo won, famously belting out a rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believin' in the immediate aftermath of their victory. 

McIlroy and Lowry returned last season and finished 12th. 

But it seems to be the case that McIlroy has decided against playing this season given Lowry and Brooks Koepka have entered as a team. 

Five-time major champion and former World No.1 Koepka last played in this event in 2019 alongside his brother Chase Koepka when finishing T22. 

The new pairing of Lowry and Koepka makes a lot of sense on paper given they are good friends, spend time together off the course and both reside in Jupiter, Florida.

Both also represent Srixon, with both players using their golf ball.