"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. Unfortunately, I'm not able to continue and have to withdraw. I was excited to compete this weekend."
"McIlroy said he could have played today, but with big tournaments coming up, such as his defence of The Players next week and the Masters next month, he decided the risk was not worth the reward. He planned to go home, get some treatment and some rest, and hoped to be ready for The Players."
Rory McIlroy, world number two, withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational after experiencing lower back muscle spasms during warm-up. He felt a small twinge while exercising in the gym, which worsened when hitting balls on the range. Despite being able to potentially play, McIlroy decided withdrawal was prudent given upcoming major tournaments, including his Players Championship defence and Masters defence. He planned to return home for treatment and rest, hoping to be ready for The Players. This marks only his second professional withdrawal, with his previous PGA Tour withdrawal occurring at the 2013 Honda Classic.
Read at Irish Independent
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