Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday before his third round after suffering lower back spasms during his pre-round range session.[1][2]

"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," McIlroy said in a statement. "Unfortunately, I’m not able to continue and have to withdraw. I was excited to compete this weekend. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year."[1][3]

The tournament is the second signature event of the 2026 PGA Tour season, held March 5-8 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. It features a $20 million purse and limited field of top players.[4][5]

McIlroy, from Holywood, Northern Ireland, entered the week ranked second in the Official World Golf Ranking. The 36-year-old has four major championships to his name, most recently the 2014 PGA Championship and Open Championship.[6][7]

The withdrawal occurs with three weeks remaining before the Masters Tournament, scheduled for April 10-13 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, where McIlroy seeks his first victory to complete a career grand slam.[4][8]

McIlroy previously won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2018.[5]

Sources

1. PGA TOUR, "Rory McIlroy withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms", March 7, 2026, https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2026/03/07/rory-mcilroy-withdraws-arnold-palmer-invitational-back-spasms
2. Golf Digest, "Rory McIlroy WD from API with lower back issue", March 7, 2026, https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-withdraws-arnold-palmer-invitational-back
3. Rory McIlroy official website, "Statement on Arnold Palmer Invitational withdrawal", March 7, 2026, https://www.rorymcilroy.com/news/statement-arnold-palmer-withdrawal
4. PGA TOUR, "Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard overview", accessed March 2026, https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2026/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/R2026037.html
5. Official World Golf Ranking, "Current OWGR standings", accessed March 7, 2026, http://www.owgr.com/current