Rory McIlroy is weighing whether to add a PGA Tour event before The Masters after a disappointing title defence at The Players Championship. The world No 2 arrived at TPC Sawgrass without a practice round due to a back injury that forced him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational the previous week.

McIlroy narrowly avoided missing the cut with rounds of 74 and 71 before closing with a level-par 72 on Saturday and a final-round 71. He finished last among those making the cut in strokes gained putting, mixing five birdies with two double bogeys during his final round. The Northern Irishman admitted his game improved progressively through the week despite poor scores.

The four-time major champion previously indicated he wouldn't play again before heading to Augusta National, though he's keeping his options open. McIlroy has historically played the Texas Children's Houston Open or Valero Texas Open the week before The Masters, with his 2024 Houston appearance preceding his dramatic play-off victory that completed the career Grand Slam.