Rory McIlroy withdraws from Abu Dhabi with stress fracture

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland has been nursing what he thought was a back injury, but rallied to make it to a playoff with Graeme Storm at last week’s SA Open. Tests revealed a stress fracture to the golfer’s ribs that will keep him out of this week’s Abu Dhabi Championship.

Associated Press file photo

×

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland has been nursing what he thought was a back injury, but rallied to make it to a playoff with Graeme Storm at last week’s SA Open. Tests revealed a stress fracture to the golfer’s ribs that will keep him out of this week’s Abu Dhabi Championship.

Associated Press file photo

VIRGINIA WATER, England — Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Abu Dhabi Championship this week because of a rib injury.

The European Tour released a statement on Monday saying the second-ranked McIlroy underwent tests after he was injured during the SA Open and they revealed a stress fracture.

McIlroy said it was “bitterly disappointing” and “really quite annoying” to miss the tournament, which has the best field of the season on the European Tour.

He said “in situations like this, you simply have to listen to the experts.”

The Northern Irishman played with the injury for the final three rounds in Johannesburg, where he lost in a playoff to Graeme Storm.

The Abu Dhabi Championship starts on Thursday and is headlined by Americans Dustin Johnson and defending champion Rickie Fowler.