Paul McGinley says Rory McIlroy’s defence at The Players underlined small but important worries ahead of the Masters. While McIlroy’s underlying statistics this season have generally been positive and his start to 2026 steady, a back problem in the build-up clearly disrupted his preparation and focus.
On paper his driving remained solid, but his iron play was only patchy and his putting was well below standard — he ranked second-last for putting among those who made the cut. That combination suggested he wasn’t fully mentally tuned in. Completing four rounds, however, was useful: it preserved his schedule and avoided the need to slot another event in before the majors. With the tournament behind him he can continue to recover, take a short break and prioritise targeted practice for Augusta National.
Still, a subdued weekend will inevitably fuel talk that he needs extra competitive reps. A strong finish would likely have left him content with his planned build-up; instead he’s openly considering adding another start. The Texas Children’s Houston Open is the sensible pick if he does, given how well it prepared him for Augusta last year, rather than opting for the Valero Texas Open.
There’s also the added burden that comes with defending titles. As the reigning Masters champion McIlroy will face more on-site commitments, including hosting the champions’ dinner on Tuesday — a notable moment that demands attention in an already intense week.
Putting has been the most conspicuous weakness. Some of the early-season misses could be put down to Poa Annua greens in California, but his struggles at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass — courses with greens similar to those he practices on in Palm Beach, where he normally puts well — are more worrying. His iron play showed flashes of improvement compared with recent weeks, yet he still lost ground and perhaps a bit of confidence after better underlying performances in the Middle East and California.
Next on the PGA Tour is the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort as attention turns to a busy April. With fewer than four weeks until the Masters (April 9-12), McIlroy now has to decide whether a short reset and focused practice are enough, or whether he should chase extra tournament golf to sharpen his game and his nerves for Augusta.