Getty Image
Rory McIlroy could well miss out on nearly $18 million after suffering a minor back injury in the week leading up to the Tour Championship and the final round of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
McIroy, who is the defending FedEx Cup champion, entered the event ranked third in the FedEx Cup standings and as such was given a 7-under score in the tournament’s staggered format.
A year ago, McIlroy began the tournament at just 4-under and six shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler, but he used third-round score of 63 to fly up the leaderboard and grabbed a one-shot victory over Scheffler and Sungjae Im.
Back Injury Could Cost Rory McIlroy A Large Chunk Of Change
This year, McIrloy was in a much better position to try to chase down Scheffler, who again entered as the top seeds. But it looks like it may not be meant to be.
Earlier this week, Rory McIlroy suffered a lower back injury at home.
He’s still set to tee it up @TOURChamp.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 24, 2023
McIroy reportedly suffered a lower-back injury in the lead up the tournament and was seen struggling to swing a club while on the driving range.
Rory McIlroy grimacing on the range ahead of his first round and title defense at the Tour Championship. Apparently, he injured his back earlier in the week at home. That may be of little solace to wagerers. pic.twitter.com/IQh60u8zA4
— Fried Egg Golf (@fried_egg_golf) August 24, 2023
McIlroy leads the PGA Tour in driving distance by over four yards this season. But that advantage could well disappear with a bad back.
The injury could also prove incredibly costly as well.
Under the current format, the Tour Championship winner takes home $18 million as the champion of the FedEx Cup. McIroy would take home $5 million should he remain in third place, where he began the tournament.
But if he’s forced to withdraw or tumbles down the leaderboard, he could pocket as little as $500,000 for a 30th-place finish.
Now, McIlroy has earned over $130 million on the course over the span of his career. And he’s undoubtedly earned far more in endorsements as well.
But $18 million is nothing to scoff at.
As of the time of writing, McIlroy sits at 1-over on the day and 6-under for the tournament. That puts him in a tie for fifth. And it doesn’t look like he’ll be moving up the leaderboard anytime soon.