Tour News

Rory McIlroy’s MRI shows recurrence of rib injury

Published

9 years ago

May 16, 2017

Word that Rory McIlroy was dealing with a recurrence of the back pain that sidelined him for seven weeks earlier this year filtered through TPC Sawgrass last week.

McIlroy gritted his teeth and turned in a two-over, tied-for-35th finish at The Players, but he was candid with reporters, admitting the pain was in the same area as his previous injury but not as severe.

‘If that injury was an 8 or a 9 in terms of pain and soreness and stiffness, this is around a 4 or 5. It might just be a flare-up of what happened previously and I just need to rest for a few days and it might be OK. Hopefully, that’s what it shows in the scan…”

An MRI Monday in Northern Ireland confirmed his suspicions, showing “no new injury, rather a low grade response to the rib joint I injured earlier in the year,” according to the Ulsterman.

He indicated that he still plans to tee it up at the BMW PGA Championship, which begins May 25 and will presumably rest until then.

McIlroy missed four tournaments earlier this year following soreness in his back at the South African Open in January. He was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in a rib.

Glancing at the calendar, the U.S. Open is in four weeks.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

8 Comments

jerseychris

May 18, 2017 at 7:07 am

The rib will be ok but too bad he signed a contract to wear those stupid looking shirts.

Reply Report comment
The Dude

May 17, 2017 at 9:03 pm

keep pumping iron….wearing shirts (at least) one size too small…so you can “look more athletic”….Rory is headed down Tigers path (minus 10 majors). Sad to see really

Reply Report comment
Blake

May 17, 2017 at 11:40 am

Been saying it for years. These guys swinging as hard as possible for years is a bad thing for their backs/bodies. On top of crazy workout routines.

Reply Report comment
- H
  
  May 17, 2017 at 5:20 pm
  
  Yes……. but it’s also hard when he’s laying pipe with the new missus
  
  Reply Report comment
ooffa

May 17, 2017 at 9:26 am

Steroids

Reply Report comment
McGary

May 17, 2017 at 8:21 am

The TaylorMade curse strikes again.

Reply Report comment
DW

May 17, 2017 at 2:56 am

Know from experience, eh? Can’t see your wiener, I bet?

Reply Report comment
Sh

May 16, 2017 at 2:30 pm

Right side or left side rib? I’m assuming it’s the right side?

Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.