Defending champion Rory McIlroy racing to be fit for Players Championship

[p]The Golf Channel television network quoted a text sent by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mcilroy-rory/djwanksN/"]McIlroy[/a], which said the Northern Ireland star was delaying his arrival at TPC Sawgrass this week to Wednesday.[/p][p][b]"The back is being a bit more stubborn than we thought, so I'm staying at home today and tomorrow to continue treatment in South Florida with the hope to travel to Ponte Vedra on Wednesday at some point,"[/b] McIlroy was quoted by the network as saying.[/p][p]On Saturday, McIlroy withdrew from the third round of the Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill after feeling a "small twinge" in his back while warming up in the gym.[/p][p]He later complained of muscle spasms in his lower back after hitting balls on the driving range, prompting his decision to withdraw.[/p][p][b]McIlroy's back problem comes at a critical period of the season for the five-time major winner.[/b][/p][p]He had been hoping to defend his Players crown in Florida this week before turning his attention to the defence of his Masters title at Augusta next month.[/p]