Rory McIlroy Battling a Back Injury at Tour Championship

McIlroy reportedly suffered a lower back injury at the beginning of the week, but still teed off at East Lake.

Rory McIlroy is dealing with a lower back injury at the Tour Championship, but still teed off at East Lake on Thursday afternoon. 

According to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the three-time Tour championship winner hurt his back at home earlier this week, and did not hit balls or practice until the morning of the tournament. 

Earlier this week @McIlroyRory injured his lower back. It’s a muscular issue. This morning he arrived at East Lake, received treatment, and hit 20 ball which was the first time he hit balls this week. He will tee it up today for @TOURChamp but may have discomfort.

— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) August 24, 2023

McIlroy apparently hit around 20 balls before his 1:49 p.m. tee time with Jon Rahm. 

On the range, the Northern Irishman appeared to be swinging cautiously and wincing with pain, stretching his back throughout the warmup. 

Rory McIlroy suffered a lower back injury at home earlier this week.

He worked through the discomfort on the range @TOURChamp pic.twitter.com/GSeb7fPrYq

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) August 24, 2023

After his first tee shot in Atlanta, McIlroy and his caddie could be seen consulting with a PGA Tour rules official. 

According to Golf Channel’s broadcast, McIlroy is permitted to receive treatment on his back throughout the round—from both his personal trainer and the PGA Tour’s trainers—as long as the work does not impact his group’s pace of play. 

McIlroy started the week at 7 under with the tournament’s staggered start, three shots behind the FedEx Cup leader Scottie Scheffler.