Rory McIlroy Faces Injury Ahead of Crucial Masters Tournament

AUGUSTA, Georgia — Rory McIlroy, the world’s second-ranked golfer, is preparing for next week’s Masters while managing an elbow issue. After finishing in a tie for fifth at the Houston Open with an impressive final round of six under par on Sunday, McIlroy revealed he has been experiencing some discomfort in his right elbow.

The Masters, scheduled for April 10-13 at Augusta National, is the only major tournament that eludes McIlroy’s grasp. The Northern Irishman is determined to secure his first Masters victory, which would complete his career Grand Slam. McIlroy emphasized the importance of addressing his injury prior to the tournament.

“My right elbow has been bothering me a little bit, so I’ll maybe just get some treatment on that and make sure that is OK going into Augusta,” McIlroy said in an interview with the Golf Channel. He is also scheduled to work with his long-time coach, Michael Bannon, to fine-tune his game before the major event.

In 2025, McIlroy has already celebrated two victories on the PGA Tour, including his triumph at the Players Championship a fortnight ago. He improved his performance at the Houston Open throughout the week, culminating in a strong finish that featured two rounds of 64.

“It was a solid week,” McIlroy reflected on his outing in Texas. “I still don’t think my game is 100% under the control I would want, but it’s nice to have a week to work on some things.” Despite dealing with elbow discomfort, McIlroy did not show any signs of struggle on the course.

Historically, McIlroy has faced challenges at the Masters. He famously let a final-round lead slip in 2011, finishing tied for 15th, and finished second to Scottie Scheffler three years ago. His past experience has only fueled his desire to succeed at Augusta.

During the Houston Open, McIlroy rebounded from a rough start, reducing the loft on his driver for improved performance. He finished second in the strokes-gained-off-the-tee statistic on the final day, a positive indicator leading into the Masters.

As anticipation builds for the Masters, McIlroy’s performance will be closely monitored, especially given his goal of becoming the sixth player to achieve a career Grand Slam. Other top contenders include Scottie Scheffler, who is looking for his third Green Jacket.

In a statement to ESPN, former Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange expressed confidence in both McIlroy and Scheffler: “I’m looking forward to the Rory-Scottie show.” Strange believes the tournament will likely see a battle between the two elite players, as both possess exceptional talent.

“Would I take them against the rest of the field? It’s much like the question with Tiger against the field back when he was winning everything. It’s probably a bad bet, but I’d have to go with it just because,” Strange added, emphasizing the potential for a thrilling competition.

As the Masters approaches, McIlroy’s focus will be on his recovery and preparation. “Still feel like I’ve got some stuff to work on,” he concluded. “I have another week to get ready and fine-tune my game heading into Augusta.”