Rory McIlroy suffers injury blow weeks before the Masters as he withdraws from competition

Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational after picking up an injury. It's a blow which has come at a nerve-wracking time for the Northern Irishman.

One year after securing the career calendar Grand Slam at Augusta, McIlroy is set to defend his Masters title on April 9 until April 12. The five-time major winner departed the Invitational just before his third round tee time was about to begin. It's understood he has picked up a back injury, after feeling discomfort while trying to loosen up on the range. He did reportedly admit it was a discomfort he may have been able to play through, but he did not want to risk aggravating it.

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After stepping away from an event having already teed off for the first time in 13 years, McIlroy reportedly told golf channel "the risk wasn't worth the reward" when it came to remaining at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

Considering McIlroy's recent comments about defending his title at Augusta, many may not be surprised about his reluctance to risk further injury. He recently said he visited the iconic golf course for some promotional work, which brought back many emotional memories,

After he finished in the top ten of the first round at the Invitational, he said: "It was great. Yeah, it was fun. It was a lot of fun."

Speaking about his iconic moment on the 15th hole at Augusta, which saw him strike a miraculous 7-iron around some trees and land within six feet of the flag, he said: "I hit the shot on 15 again, just as like just to replicate it.

"I nearly pitched it in the hole. It was actually a better shot than I hit in the tournament. It was actually unbelievable, I wish I could have got it on camera. Like literally, you know, the pitch mark was that [indicating] from the hole, and just sort of went to the back edge of the green."

While he won't want to take any risks regarding his back, McIlroy may be disappointed, considering he felt positive about his display at the Arnold Palmer. He said: "Very pleased. One bogey. Hit itin the water on 8. But made a good putt for bogey there. I really felt like that kept any momentum that I had for the round going.

I played the last 10 holes really, really well. Overall real really pleased. Played a very sort of controlled, patient round of golf, which you need to do around here. Yeah, good day's work."

Next week, McIlroy was expected to defend his Players Championship title. His back injury will put a cloud of doubt over his attendance, but after returning to his Florida home to recover, he may even be back to full fitness by the time the event comes around.