Trending Now - Rory Mcilroy Withdraws From Arnold Palmer Invitational With Injury

WHO:

Rory McIlroy, Northern Irish golfer, reigning Masters champion

PGA Tour

Justin Rose, competitor in the Masters playoff against McIlroy in 2025

Jacob Bridgeman, winner of the Genesis Invitational in February 2026

Daniel Berger, competitor in the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIlroy, Northern Irish golfer, five-time major winner

PGA Tour, organizing body of the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Jacob Bridgeman, winner of the Genesis Invitational

Justin Rose, competitor in the Masters playoff against McIlroy

Scottie Scheffler, world number one golfer

Daniel Berger, golfer leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIlroy, Northern Irish golfer

Jacob Bridgeman, winner of the Genesis Invitational

Justin Rose, competitor in the Masters playoff

Sergio Garcia, competitor in a previous playoff

Daniel Berger, golfer leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational

WHAT:

Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to muscle spasms in his lower back

McIlroy was tied for ninth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after shooting a round of 68

McIlroy's withdrawal was announced approximately 30 minutes before his scheduled tee time

This marks the third time McIlroy has withdrawn from a tournament mid-event in his professional career

Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms

McIlroy experienced muscle spasms in his lower back approximately 30 minutes before his tee time

McIlroy was tied for ninth place at the time of withdrawal, nine shots back from the leader

McIlroy shot a round of 68 on March 6, 2026, improving to four under par

McIlroy is the defending champion of the Players Championship and the Masters

Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms.

McIlroy experienced muscle spasms while warming up on March 6, 2026.

McIlroy's withdrawal occurred about 30 minutes before his tee time.

McIlroy won the Masters in 2025, becoming the sixth golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam.

McIlroy finished tied for second in the Genesis Invitational in February 2026.

McIlroy's last significant back issue was during the Tour Championship in 2023.

McIlroy has withdrawn from a tournament only three times in his career.

WHERE:

Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida

Augusta National Golf Club, location of the Masters

Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida

Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters is held

WHEN:

McIlroy withdrew on March 7, 2026

The Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 9-12, 2026

McIlroy won the Masters in 2025, marking his first major victory since 2014

McIlroy withdrew on March 7, 2026

The Masters is scheduled for April 9-12, 2026

McIlroy won the Masters on April 10, 2025

McIlroy withdrew on March 6, 2026.

The Masters is scheduled for April 9-12, 2026.

McIlroy won the Masters in 2025.

WHY:

McIlroy experienced muscle spasms in his lower back after feeling a twinge while warming up in the gym

McIlroy cited a small twinge in his back that worsened into muscle spasms during warm-up

McIlroy withdrew due to muscle spasms in his lower back that worsened during warm-up.

HOW:

McIlroy attempted to warm up on the practice range but decided to withdraw after the spasms worsened

He left the practice range and retreated to the locker room before exiting the venue around 12:30 p.m. ET

McIlroy felt discomfort while warming up in the gym and hitting balls on the range before the round

McIlroy felt a twinge in his back while warming up in the gym, which developed into spasms while hitting balls on the range.

(UPDATED March 8, 2026 01:21 UTC)

Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, due to muscle spasms in his lower back, which he experienced after feeling a twinge while warming up in the gym. McIlroy, who was tied for ninth place after shooting a round of 68, announced his withdrawal about 30 minutes before his scheduled tee time, marking the third time in his professional career that he has pulled out of a tournament mid-event. The Masters Tournament, where McIlroy is the reigning champion, is set to take place from April 9 to 12.

(UPDATED March 7, 2026 23:00 UTC)

Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, due to back spasms that began during his warm-up. Just thirty minutes before his tee time, McIlroy, who was tied for ninth place and four under par after shooting a round of 68 on March 6, experienced a twinge in his lower back that escalated into muscle spasms. As the defending champion of both the Players Championship and the Masters, McIlroy's next opportunity to compete will be at the Masters, scheduled for April 9 to 12.

(UPDATED March 7, 2026 21:30 UTC)

Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to muscle spasms in his lower back that worsened during warm-up on March 6, 2026, just 30 minutes before his tee time. This marks only the third time in his career that McIlroy has had to pull out of a tournament, with his last significant back issue occurring during the Tour Championship in 2023. McIlroy, who won the Masters in 2025 and finished tied for second in the Genesis Invitational last month, is now looking ahead to the Masters scheduled for April 9 to 12, 2026.

(UPDATED March 7, 2026 20:48 UTC)

Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 6 due to muscle spasms in his lower back, which he experienced while warming up before the round. This marks McIlroy's first significant back issue since the Tour Championship in 2023, and he withdrew about 30 minutes before his scheduled tee time. As the defending champion of the Players Championship, set for March 12 to 15, McIlroy's health will be closely monitored as he prepares for upcoming tournaments, including the Masters Tournament in April.