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Rory McIlroy has hinted he may not compete again before defending his Masters title after only just making the cut at The Players Championship. McIlroy's preparations for TPC Sawgrass were disrupted by a back injury that led him to pull out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational mid-tournament a week ago.

The 36-year-old managed only a light range session and walked a few holes after arriving late in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Wednesday before having to fight hard to make the weekend.

Another disappointing round ensued on Saturday. He struggled on the greens as he posted an even-par 72 to stay at one over for the tournament, 14 shots behind leader Ludvig Aberg.

On Friday, McIlroy was simply relieved to make the cut, affording him two more rounds to regain form as the muscle issue that forced his withdrawal at Bay Hill eased slightly. In his post-round press conference, he confessed that more than just personal pride was at stake as he strived to make the cut. McIlroy told NBC on-course reporter Jim "Bones" McKay that his schedule plans hinged on a birdie at the last to secure a Saturday tee time.

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McIlroy said: "Bones asked me, walking down the ninth hole there, my last hole, 'What's your plan after this for like the next few weeks?' I said, 'Bones, I'll tell you after this hole. There's a lot riding on this golf hole.'

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"So I mean, obviously, I wanted to make the cut, of course. I mean, yeah, of course you want to be here for the weekend."

McIlroy is not scheduled to compete in next week's Valspar Championship, a tournament he has not featured in since 2018, and he has seldom entered the Valero Texas Open, which takes place the week prior to the Masters.

McIlroy did participate in the Houston Open last season, a fortnight before the Masters, but it appears he may take a three-week hiatus before returning to Augusta National to defend his crown.

Such an extended absence would prompt questions about his competitive sharpness. However, considering not only his persistent back complaint but also the substantial time commitments on Masters champions during tournament week, it may be prudent to arrive at Magnolia Lane fully refreshed.

McIlroy did not address reporters following Saturday's round but he was satisfied with how the stiffness in his back was improving. He said: "It feels pretty much there. Not all the way there, but like, I feel like it's just progressively getting better each and every day. It's more when I get over it.

"So chipping yesterday, or like when the ball was below my feet, is when... I had a hard time trusting it, more so than anything else.

"But today it was, you know, I think having a day where I was like, 'OK, that was fine,' I didn't really feel anything. I woke up this morning and felt fine."