Rory McIlroy provides fitness update after back injury sparks Ryder Cup concern

25 August 2023 , 11:15

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Rory McIlroy has picked up a back problem (Image: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy has provided an update on the back injury that plagued his opening round of the Tour Championship, with the Ryder Cup right around the corner.

McIlroy headed to East Lake this week to defend his FedEx Cup, with the Northern Irishman starting third in the standings behind Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler. Thanks to the Tour Championship's staggered stroke format, McIlroy began the event three shots behind Scheffler.

The four-time major champion was keen to make up that ground, but could only manage a level-par 71 on day one.

Despite failing to build on his score McIlroy is still only three shots back, with Hovland, Keegan Bradley and Colin Morikawa leading the way.

Things could have been a whole lot worse for the defending FedEx Cup champion too, as he was forced to battle a back problem throughout his opening 18 holes of the week. McIlroy has since revealed he suffered a back spasm whilst at home ahead of the tournament, and the problem was apparent on the course on Thursday.

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Discussing how he picked up the injury, he said: "On Tuesday morning I felt a little tight, and I went into my gym at home, and I just sort of foam-rolled and stretched. I went to grab something and my whole right side just completely seized up, spasm.

"So I spent two hours with the physio at home, flew up here, felt a little better, some treatment, then Wednesday morning still my right side was feeling better, and then went into the gym just to do some movements and stuff. I was at the bottom of a squat, a body-weight squat, and my whole lower back spasmed, seized up. I couldn't move.

Rory McIlroy struggled throughout the opening round (AP)

"I honestly couldn't address the ball this time yesterday. So to get to where I am today is good." McIlroy's problem will be cause for concern for European captain Luke Donald, with the Ryder Cup getting underway in five weeks on home soil in Rome.

Despite the worry, McIlroy offered some reassurance that the spasm was not too serious an issue. "It's better than it was yesterday," he added. "Hopefully tomorrow's better than it was today, and just sort of try to keep progressing...

"It will hopefully get loosened up here and just another 20 -- or 18 hours of recovery and go again tomorrow." McIlroy will return to the course in Friday's second round alongside fellow European Matt Fitzpatrick at 6:27pm (BST).

Joshua Lees