Rory McIlroy's back issue 'more stubborn' than initially thought, Power drafted into Players field

Waterford's Séamus Power has been drafted into the field at The Players Championship

Rory McIlroy will not travel to TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship until Wednesday due to a back issue. Pic: AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Rory McIlroy said the back issue which forced him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational over the weekend is being more "stubborn" than initially thought. The world number two will not travel to TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship until Wednesday. 

It means he will probably miss the chance to have a practice round at the course.

McIlroy is the defending champion, having defeated JJ Spaun in a play-off last year to claim the title.

In a text sent to Golf Channel presenter Todd Lewis, one which was read out on air during a live broadcast from the tournament, McIlroy wrote: “The back is being a bit more stubborn than we thought, so I’m staying at home today and tomorrow to continue treatment in South Florida with the hope to travel to Ponte Vedra on Wednesday at some point.”

McIlroy has been grouped with Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama for the opening two rounds while Shane Lowry will play with JJ Spaun and Sepp Straka.

There was good news for Waterford man Séamus Power on Monday as he was added to the field. Power was one of the beneficiaries of Brooks Kopeka's return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf. Koepka's addition took the field to 121 players with Patton Kizzire and Power drafted in from the alternates list to round out the threesomes. Power will play with Kizzire and Johnny Keefer.

Power has started the season reasonably well, making four of five cuts with his finishes including tying for 11th at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January.