Rory McIlroy, Austin Smotherman WD from Arnold Palmer Invitational

Field Level Media
07 Mar 2026, 23:35 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images)

Rory McIlroy withdrew ahead of his third round Saturday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a back injury.

Austin Smotherman pulled out during his round, also with a back injury, at the Bay Hil Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla.

World No. 2 McIlroy of Northern Ireland was 4-under through two rounds at the PGA Tour's signature event, nine shots behind 36-hole leader Daniel Berger.

McIlroy, 36, was playing his third PGA Tour event of the season. The five-time major winner finished T14 at Pebble Beach and T2 at The Genesis Invitational last month.

Smotherman bogeyed three of the first five holes Saturday before leaving the course.

Smotherman, 31, opened with a 2-over 74 on Thursday before carding a 1-under 71 on Friday.

He was the runner-up last week at the Cognizant Classic for his second top-10 finish of the 2026 season.

Smotherman has four professional wins, three on the Korn Ferry Tour and one on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.

More Information

Business

Section

Affluent travelers paying huge sums for private flights out of Gulf

DUBAI, U.A.E: Even as thousands of airline passengers are stranded across the Gulf region due to the war, some wealthy travelers are...

Dow Jones tumbles 453 points on disappointing jobs data

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks ended well in the red on Friday as investors grappled with an escalating conflict in the Middle East...

TikTok reshapes image of farming in West Africa

DAKAR, Senegal: In fields across West Africa, farmers are increasingly turning to TikTok and other social media platforms to market...

Walmart-backed PhonePe targets $1 billion IPO raise

MUMBAI, India: Walmart-backed Indian fintech firm PhonePe is targeting a valuation of between US$9 billion and $10.5 billion in its...

Drivers rush to pumps as fuel costs surge

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Gasoline and diesel prices jumped sharply overnight as conflict in the Middle East disrupted oil shipments...

Intel board shakeup as Yeary steps down

SAN FRANCISCO, California: Intel said that board Chair Frank Yeary will retire after 17 years with the company, marking another leadership...

Texas

Section