Rory McIlroy concerns over back injury - 'My whole right side just completely seized up'

McIlroy’s back is a bigger issue than the three-shot deficit he still has to overcome at the Tour Championship.

Rory McIlroy, left, has pain-relieving balm applied to his back by his caddie Harry Diamond, right, during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)

Rory McIlroy’s lacklustre even-par start in the Tour Championship on Thursday was the least of his – or Europe’s – worries. McIlroy’s back is a bigger issue than the three-shot deficit he still has to overcome to win his fourth FedEx Cup title before next month’s Ryder Cup.

“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,” McIlroy said after shooting 70 at the Tour Championship. “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.”