World number two Rory McIlroy has revealed that the back problem he suffered with during The Players Championship last weekend was a recurrence of the injury he picked up in South Africa.
The Northern Irishman made his first start as a married man at golf’s unofficial fifth major last weekend but complained of a back issue after his second round. McIlroy opted to play through the pain as he finished 12 shots off Si Woo Kim’s winning score of -10.
The four-time Major winner has confirmed the results of his MRI scan on Monday.
‘No new injury, rather a low grade response to the rib joint I injured earlier in the year,’ said McIlroy.
‘As of now I am still entered into the BMW PGA Championship.’
McIlroy was first diagnosed with a stress fracture in his rib during the SA Open in January, where he lost to Graeme Storm in a playoff at Glendower Golf Club.
The BMW PGA Championship is the European Tour’s flagship event and it takes place from 25-28 May at Wentworth.
