Rory McIlroy playing through injury at PGA Tour's $75m season finale

Rory McIlroy is playing the season-ending Tour Championship with an injury. 

Per Golf Digest, McIlroy has sustained a lower back injury and is playing through some 'minor discomfort' at East Lake. 

The Northern Irishman made no mention of the pain during his press conference earlier in the week. 

In the very same press conference, however, McIlroy doubled down on the claim Europe wouldn't be affected by the absence of LIV Golf players for the forthcoming Ryder Cup as there is a changing of the guard anyway. 

McIlroy also let it be known that Tiger Woods' presence on the PGA Tour's policy board has already been felt. 

Per the report by GD, McIlroy sustained the injury whilst at home. He only hit approximately 20 balls on Thursday morning before beginning his first round in Atlanta alongside Jon Rahm at 1.49pm. 

McIlroy started the Tour Championship three shots behind FedEx Cup leader Scottie Scheffler at 7-under par. 

The Northern Irishman is bidding for his fourth FedEx Cup title. 

Both McIlroy and Scheffler have resorted to last some-minute equipment changes in the hopes of taking home the $18m winner's cheque. 

It remains to be seen whether he will battle on given the Ryder Cup is just around the corner. 

If he is to withdraw he would immediately plummet to 30th in the rankings but would still take home $500,000 from the bonus pool. 

McIlroy is scheduled to play two more events before leading Luke Donald's troops in Rome. 

He will play the Irish Open and then the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. 

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