Rory McIlroy Struggling with Injury Ahead of 10-Day Countdown to the Masters

Rory McIlroy acknowledged that he is currently dealing with an injury to his elbow as he prepares for the upcoming Masters tournament in Augusta.

The second-ranked player in the world made a strong push up the leaderboard during the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday, shooting a 4-under 31 on the front nine that included an eagle. He then went on to make three more birdies, but ultimately finished with a bogey and tied for fifth place.

Despite his impressive performance, McIlroy revealed to NBC Sports that his right elbow has been causing him discomfort. With the Masters just 10 days away, he plans to receive treatment and ensure that he is in good shape for the tournament.

\"I will get some treatment on that and make sure that it's okay going into Augusta,\" he stated.

McIlroy has opted not to participate in this week's Texas Valero Open, giving him time to rest his elbow and make adjustments to his driver after the third round in Houston.

\"I just took a little bit of loft off it,\" he explained. \"I felt like it was getting a little bit spinny, especially if I wanted to hit cuts off the tee, so I took a little bit of loft off it. It definitely went through the wind better today and I felt a little more comfortable.\"

Despite the discomfort in his elbow, McIlroy continues to achieve strong results, even after struggling to make the cut in Houston. His fifth place finish adds to his two wins and a fourth place finish in Dubai, making for a successful start to his 2025 season.

However, McIlroy admitted that his game is not where he wants it to be as he strives for his first green jacket at the Masters next week.

\"I still feel like I have some things to work on. I don't think my game is at 100 percent control, but it's nice to have a week to focus on some things,\" he said. \"My coach, Michael Bannon, will be coming in tomorrow and we will be working on my game at home to make sure I feel confident going into the Masters.\"

The Masters is the only major tournament that McIlroy has yet to win, and his overall major drought has now reached 11 years since his victory at the 2014 PGA Championship. He finished tied for 22nd last year after missing the cut in 2023, and was the runner-up to Scottie Scheffler in 2022.

\"This week and going forward, it's all about feeling as comfortable as possible with the things I've been working on, such as my iron play and wedges,\" McIlroy shared. \"Short game is also crucial at Augusta, so I will be focusing on those areas over the next few days and hopefully I will feel confident going into the tournament.\"