RORY MCILROY has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational mid-competition after suffering back pain.
The Northern Irishman was four-under after two rounds at Bay Hill, sitting joint-ninth in the leaderboard.
But he was forced to pull out on Saturday just minutes before his tee time.
McIlroy, 36, was due to start the third round at 12.55pm Eastern Time but backed down from playing around half an hour prior to that.
He had a hitting session on the driving range but opted for caution ahead of the Players Championship next week and The Masters in a month.
According to reports, McIlroy said he could have played but didn’t want to push the pain in his lower back.
Before getting into a BMW he is said to have given a thumbs up, adding that he is “All good.”
He was coming off the back of shooting 68 on Friday after a disappointing 72 on day one.
It is only the third time he has withdrawn from a tournament.
In 2009 he suffered from a virus and food poisoning and four years later a tooth issue saw him pull out after the second round at the Honda Classic.
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He has had back problems before but not since 2023 when he played through them at the Tour Championship.
McIlroy won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2018 and is preparing to enter The Masters as defending champ.
He completed the career grand slam last year with a dramatic playoff win at Augusta.
McIlroy will also go to the Players Championship with a title on the line.
He had a remarkable 2025, also helping Team Europe to an away Ryder Cup victory.
