McIlroy to undergo back scan

McIlroy: Set for back scan

I've been out in the Middle-East for four weeks so I think it's just a repetitive injury and comes from hitting a lot of balls, and it just niggles a little bit.

Rory McIlroy
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World number seven Rory McIlroy will visit a specialist to determine the seriousness of a back problem ahead of his maiden PGA Tour season.

The injury has surfaced as a result of the 20-year-old's intense practice schedule at the start of the new campaign, which has often included eight-hour sessions.

However, the Ulsterman was still able to maintain his run of top-10 finishes by claiming sixth place at the Dubai Desert Classic last week, earning himself a career-high world ranking.

Problem

"My back has been bothering me for a few days now so that's why I am going for the scan," said McIlroy.

"I'm strapped pretty good. I've had the problem for a while, and it's just whenever I undertake a lot of practice.

"I've been out in the Middle-East for four weeks so I think it's just a repetitive injury and comes from hitting a lot of balls, and it just niggles a little bit."

McIlroy has taken out a PGA Tour card for the first time this year and is expected to compete at next week's WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, but will meet a Belfast-based specialist on Monday ahead of the tournament and undergo a back scan in Leeds.

Following his Match Play appearance, McIlroy is expected to feature in the Honda Classic, WGC - CA Championship at Doral, Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and Shell Houston Open before the April's Masters at Augusta.

"It's just a build-up and it's been at me for a while, and the more the week progressed the more it troubled me," added McIlroy.

"I can still swing the club OK, but bending down and doing things like putting and picking the ball out of the cup hurts.

"The scan is precautionary and I get one every year and I will be fine for the Match Play. I just need to give it some rest."

Untroubled

McIlroy appeared untroubled by the back problem during the final round of his title defence in Dubai on Sunday, but his one-over-par 73 could not make up for his two-shot overnight deficit and he finished three shots adrift of Lee Westwood and eventual winner Miguel Angel Jiminez, who prevailed in a dramatic three-hole play-off.

"I didn't play well. I didn't take my chances and it was just a bit of a struggle," said McIlroy.

"I want to win and didn't even put myself in a position to do that. I didn't really get anything going."