Reigning Masters champ Rory McIlroy withdraws from PGA event 1 month before green jacket defense

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Rory McIlroy's green jacket defense appears to be up in the air.

The reigning Masters winner withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational Saturday after suffering back spasms during his range session.

"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. 

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Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge March 6, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour via Getty Images)

"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."

McIlroy finally took home the green jacket in his 17th try last year. It was his first major win since 2014, and it made him the sixth golfer to complete the career slam. It was a weekend full of ups and downs, and he set the Masters record for the most "3s" carded, but he had plenty of dropped shots throughout.

Ultimately, he prevailed in a playoff against Justin Rose, who also fell to Sergio Garcia in a playoff eight years prior.

Rory McIlroy holds the Masters championship trophy during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)

The last time someone did not play in the Masters the year after winning it was 1954, when Ben Hogan sat out.

McIlroy finished tied for second in last month's Genesis