McIlroy to have tests on his injured back
JOHANNESBURG — One tournament into the new year, Rory McIlroy is going for tests on his back Monday to make sure he is fit enough to play Abu Dhabi without further damage.
McIlroy felt pain in his back before the second round of the South African Open, and it lingered throughout the final round, where he closed with a 67 and lost in a playoff to Graeme Storm.
McIlroy was flying to Dubai on Sunday and said he would have an MRI “just to see what’s up with this joint in my back.”
“It’s OK,” McIlroy said on the European Tour’s website. “It was manageable this week. I’m taped up and I’ve got a few pills in me and I’m fine. But first and foremost, that’s the most important thing, to get fit and healthy again. And hopefully, I’ll be all right to play next week.”