Rory McIlroy is set to defend his Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass while still managing the back problem that forced him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week. The Northern Irishman said the injury has improved adding that the medication he is taking has helped him feel better.

McIlroy tested his back on the range ahead of the tournament and said he was able to hit a few longer clubs without much trouble.

“It’s better than it was. I hit up to a six iron on the range, and it felt okay,” McIlroy said.

He pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational before the third round after hurting his back during a gym session earlier that morning.

Speaking about his recovery, McIlroy said the situation is much better than it was at Bay Hill, where he could barely address the ball during warm-up.

“I’m sort of taking it hour by hour, but it feels better, that’s all I can say,” he said. “I couldn’t stand to address the ball 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 a good night tonight. The drugs are working wonders.”

McIlroy also explained that the problem is muscular rather than structural, which is why he believes playing will not make the injury worse.

“It’s not structural, it’s not joint, it’s fine,” he said. “It’s purely a muscular sort of discomfort and fatigue. Obviously I’ll listen to the professionals, but there’s nothing that I can do that’s going to harm that.”

“Things are getting better, but yeah, I don’t think it’s something where if I play I’m at risk of doing any damage.”

Before the opening round, McIlroy planned to walk nine holes at TPC Sawgrass to work on his chipping and putting while leaving the longer clubs in his bag.

The two-time Players Championship winner is scheduled to tee off at 1:42 p.m. local time alongside Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama.

A win this week would give Rory McIlroy his third Players Championship title. Only Jack Nicklaus has won the tournament three times. McIlroy would also become the first player to win all three of his titles at TPC Sawgrass.

A recap of Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Players Championship win

Rory McIlroy returns to TPC Sawgrass this week as the defending champion after winning the Players Championship in 2025. The win was his 28th PGA Tour title and made him one of the few players to win the tournament more than once.

Rory McIlroy began the tournament with a five under par 67 in the opening round. He followed it with a four under par 68 on Friday to stay near the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

The third round was tougher for him, as he posted a one over par 73 on Saturday. That brought several players back into contention going into the final round.

McIlroy responded with a four under par 68 on Sunday to finish the tournament at 12 under par. J.J. Spaun reached the same score, which forced a playoff after the weather delayed the finish.

The playoff was played on Monday at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy set up a birdie on the par five 16th after a strong drive and wedge approach. At the next hole, the par three 17th, he hit the island green while Spaun’s ball found the water.

That moment decided the playoff and gave Rory McIlroy his second Players Championship title.