Rory McIlroy hopes to defend Players Championship despite back injury

He withdrew from Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday ‘I’m taking it hour by hour, but it feels better’ Rory McIlroy will make a last‑minute call on Thursday over whether to defend his Players Championship title, with the Northern Irishman still feeling the effects of a weekend back injury. McIlroy will wait until his pre-round range session to determine whether he is fit enough to play. McIlroy arrived here on Wednesday afternoon, having withdrawn shortly before his third round of the Arnol