Rory McIlroy is hopeful of competing in The Players Championship, despite sustaining a back injury that forced his withdrawal from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
True to his word, McIlroy appeared at the iconic Pointe Vedra Beach venue as scheduled on Wednesday afternoon.
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While the two-time champion opted against a practice round, footage emerged on X of him putting his back through its paces, both in the form of some light wedge swings, as posted by Skratch, and some full swings, as shown in a video posted by Jacksonville, Florida sports media brand Action Sports Jax.
Rory McIlroy is officially on site and hitting balls for the first time this week at TPC Sawgrass. 👀 pic.twitter.com/6MvztiUowEMarch 11, 2026
Afterwards, McIlroy gave a cautiously optimistic assessment of his chances of playing in the tournament to the media.
He said: “It’s better. It’s better than it was. I hit up until a 6-iron on the range there and it felt OK. I’ve got about, I don’t know, is it 20 hours until I tee off, or until I’m supposed to tee off tomorrow.
“So, yeah, we’ll see. 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.”
Rory McIlroy hit balls on the range at TPC Sawgrass ahead of this title defence
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Asked how concerning it is that he could aggravate the issue during the tournament, he added. “It’s not. It’s not structural, it’s not joint, it’s fine.
“It’s purely muscular sort of discomfort and fatigue. So there’s nothing I can – I don’t think, and what I’ve been told, obviously I’ll listen to the professionals. But…
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