Back injury sees McIlroy withdraw at Bay HillImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rory McIlroy was in the top 10 after Friday’s second roundPublished18 minutes agoRory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando with a back injury.The Northern Irishman’s exit was unveiled by the PGA Tour before he started the tournament’s third round.The five-time major winner held a share of ninth place – nine shots back – after moving to four under on Friday with a round of 68.Having birdied four of the first seven holes on the back nine, McIlroy had reported he was “really pleased”, adding he had played a “controlled, patient round of golf”.The 36-year-old, who was competing in his third PGA Tour event of the season, will be hoping to regain fitness before the Masters at Augusta from 9-12 April where he will be bidding to defend his title.A play-off win against Justin Rose last year saw McIlroy become the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam, ending an 11-year drought at the sport’s four biggest competitions.
