Rory McIlroy back injury: Defending Masters champion powering through spasms in hunt for back-to-back green jackets

Rory McIlroy back injury: Defending Masters champion powering through spasms in hunt for back-to-back green jackets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Rory McIlroy was on top of the golfing world in 2025. The man from Northern Ireland won his first-ever Green Jacket, completing golf's grand slam before leading Team Europe to an upset win over the U.S. at the Ryder Cup.

While his 2026 season began with two strong starts (T14: 17-under at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T2: 17-under at The Genesis Invitational), he was forced to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard due to lower back muscle spasms ahead of the third round.

McIlroy would later play at The Players Championship the following week, but showed signs of rust after finishing T-46 with an even par.

Here's a look at McIlroy's back injury in March, which he is not letting affect his chances of winning the first back-to-back Green Jackets since Tiger Woods.

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Rory McIlroy back injury

McIlroy's injury came the morning of his third round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard on March 7 while warming up at the gym. Here is the North Irishman's full statement:

McIlroy tried battling through the pain on the range that morning, but could not continue due to the pain and its development into lower back muscle spasms. He was forced to withdraw from the competition.

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When did Rory McIlroy hurt his back?

Just prior to his third round at March's Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. At the time he withdrew, McIlroy was sitting at 4-under.

A week later, McIlroy did suit up for The Players Championship, but didn't look like his normal dominant self. He went on to finish tied for 46th place with a 1-under score.

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Back-to-back Masters champions

Across the Masters' 92-year history, there have only been three golfers to win back-to-back Green Jackets. Here is the full list.

No golfer has yet to win three Masters in a row, but five golfers have won three jackets at Augusta (Demaret, Snead, Player, Faldo, Mickelson).