Rory McIlroy continues to be attributable to compete on the Gamers Championship regardless of again harm issues, however the PGA Tour have alternates prepared simply in case he cannot play
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 21: Rory McIlroy of Northern Eire speaks to the media after his spherical through the third spherical of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Nation Membership on February 21, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Picture by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Pictures) (Picture: Getty Pictures)
Rory McIlroy is poised to take part in The Gamers Championship later this week with out a follow spherical. The reigning champion goals to beat harm issues, although contingency plans are in place in case of a late withdrawal.
The Northern Irish golfer clinched the title at TPC Sawgrass final 12 months, securing it for a second time, however his involvement has been unsure. McIlroy needed to withdraw from the latest Arnold Palmer Invitational attributable to again issues.
McIlroy has continued therapy, and in response to the Golf Channel, he is because of journey to Ponte Vedra Seashore on Wednesday to start his preparation. That would imply he may need to begin the primary spherical with none vital follow beforehand.
The Masters champion triumphed in final 12 months’s Gamers by way of a play-off, defeating JJ Spaun. Nevertheless, if the present holder is unable to defend his title, the PGA Tour has chosen alternate and reserve gamers based mostly on the present FedEx Cup rankings.
On Monday, they introduced that Patton Kizzire and Seamus Energy would be the first two alternates for the 123-player discipline. Initially, it was a 120-player discipline, however Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour elevated it to 121.
Now with Kizzire and Energy included, the match will characteristic 41 teams of three gamers. The main different is now rising American expertise David Ford, who received the Haskins Award as essentially the most excellent collegiate participant in 2025. Ford topped the PGA Tour college rankings in 2025 and holds a PGA Tour card via to the conclusion of 2026.
That represents the duty confronting McIlroy, who’s lower than a month away from returning to the Masters as reigning champion. Ought to the Northern Irishman prevail in Florida, he wouldn’t solely accumulate a rare £3.35m but additionally be a part of Nicklaus as solely the second participant to seize the championship 3 times.
McIlroy is because of start his spherical at 1.42pm native time on Thursday, that includes in a marquee group alongside two-time main champion Xander Schauffele and 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama.
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