Rory McIlroy remains undecided about whether to compete in an additional tournament before defending his Masters title at Augusta National next month.
The Northern Irishman finished outside the top 50 at The Players Championship on Sunday, posting an even-par total of 288 across four rounds at TPC Sawgrass.
His stance has shifted subtly from earlier in the week, when he suggested making the cut meant he would not need to add another event to his schedule.
"I'll see. I haven't really made a decision either way," McIlroy told reporters following his final round.
The 2025 Masters champion indicated he may slot in a tournament if he becomes restless whilst training at home.
McIlroy's appearance at The Players was thrown into doubt after he injured his back during a gym warm-up session prior to the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, forcing him to withdraw from that event.
Following several days of treatment, he arrived in the Ponte Vedra Beach area only on Wednesday afternoon, giving him minimal time to prepare.
Rory McIlroy remains undecided about whether to compete in an additional tournament before defending his Masters title at Augusta National next month
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Rather than playing a full practice round, he opted simply to walk six holes on the back nine of the course.
Despite the abbreviated preparation, McIlroy felt his body responded well throughout the tournament.
"Happy to come through four rounds and feel like my body held up well," he said.
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Five things to know about Rory McIlroy | GETTYMcIlroy explained his decision would depend on how his body copes with returning to intensive training.
"I'll see how my body feels. We'll see how I feel in practice and at home, and if I get itchy feet at home maybe add an event at some point," he said.
The golfer added: "I really just want to see how the next week goes, see how once I get back to a full practice schedule and in the gym and stuff like that, see how my body reacts to that, and then I'll see."
The four-time major winner acknowledged his scores did not reflect his improving form as the week progressed.
"I hit the ball well. I just didn't make anything on the greens," McIlroy noted, adding he was focused on extracting positives from what he described as a disappointing week.
Rory McIlroy won The Masters last year, completing the career Grand Slam in the process
| REUTERSSkipping an additional event before Augusta would mark a notable change from McIlroy's recent approach to Masters preparation.
Since The Players Championship moved back to March in 2019, he has consistently competed in at least one tournament before the year's opening major.
In 2025, when he captured the green jacket to complete the career Grand Slam, he played the Houston Open a fortnight before Augusta, whilst in two of the three preceding years he competed at the Valero Texas Open the week prior.
This season, McIlroy has performed strongly in limited appearances, finishing second at Riviera and arriving at TPC Sawgrass ranked first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: total.