Rory McIlroy is taking a game-time decision on whether to defend his Players Championship title after a back injury at Bay Hill. The four-time major winner, who withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, reported improvement after hitting balls on the range, saying the issue is "purely muscular" and not structural.

McIlroy would be bidding to become the second player after Jack Nicklaus to win three Players Championship titles, and the first to achieve this feat at TPC Sawgrass. The Northern Irishman is also preparing to defend his Masters title next month at Augusta, where he completed the career grand slam last year.

The 36-year-old is scheduled to tee off at 13:42 local time alongside Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama, with rain and thunder forecast for the opening round. McIlroy practiced chipping and putting but left longer clubs in his bag as he continues to assess his fitness.