Rory McIlroy has finished in the top seven in eight of his last nine events

Rory McIlroy is expected to be fit for next week's WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona after being told he has slight nerve damage in his lower back.

The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland, who has moved up to seventh in the world rankings, had a scan on a niggling back problem on Monday night.

McIlroy's injury could be linked to the hip movement in his swing.

"They go backwards and then forwards and that puts a little strain on the lower back," said McIlroy.

The Holywood player has been working with South African physio Cornell Driesson to try to manage the discomfort.

McIlroy saw a specialist on his return from Dubai, where he finished sixth on Sunday in defence of his Desert Classic title.

"I do all the exercises I can to make everything stronger around the joints and it is a matter of resting and managing my schedule so that I am not playing too many weeks in a row," he added.

McIlroy has taken up US Tour membership this season and next week is the first of five events there before The Masters in April.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version