...
By Cole Sullivan
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
With two days remaining in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the tournament will continue without 2018 champion Rory McIlroy, who suddenly withdrew ahead of his tee time on Saturday.
McIlroy reportedly tweaked his back while warming up in the gym. When he began hitting balls on the range to prepare for his round — entering the day at four-under par and nine shots off the lead — the discomfort worsened, developing into muscle spasms in his lower back. He also considered that The Players Championship is next week, a tournament he won last year, before deciding he could not participate.
He broke his silence on the decision shortly after the PGA Tour made it public.
Read More on Golf
“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," McIlroy said. "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.”
More news: ‘Rigged’ Tiger Woods Win Sparks Conspiracy Theories Amid TGL Playoffs
...
More news: Tiger Woods’ Son Charlie Makes Major Career Decision After College Commitment
This is not something McIlroy has commonly done throughout his PGA Tour career. While he’s now at a stage where he picks and chooses the tournaments he wants to compete in, he has only previously withdrawn due to injury once — all the way back in 2013.
Typically, players tend to withdraw only when they’re well out of contention. For McIlroy, who was nine shots back entering Saturday with 36 holes remaining, that wasn’t the case; he was still in striking distance to potentially crack the top 10.
Now, he’ll likely enter the week with a “questionable” tag heading into The Players Championship next weekend, which begins Thursday.
More news: Tiger Woods Drops Major Hint About Potential Masters Comeback
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines