"If I get itchy feet at home, maybe I’ll add an event at some point" - McIlroy unsure about Masters plans
Rory McIlroy admits he'll have to wait and "see" if he plays again before his Masters defence after overcoming back problems to play all four rounds at The Players.
He's unlikely to play the Valero Texas Open the week before the season's first Major, as he's tentatively made plans to be at Augusta that weekend for the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip & Putt.
If that remains the case, the world number two could play the Texas Children's Houston Open for the second year running.
"I'll see," McIlroy said after closing with a one under 71 that left him tied for 46th on level par, an hour before the leaders took to the course.
"I haven't really made a decision either way. I'll see how my body feels and see how I feel in practice and at home.
"You know, if I get itchy feet at home, maybe I’ll add an event at some point. But, you know, I feel like it was important to make the weekend here and play an extra couple of days.
"But yeah, really just see how the next week goes. See how, you know, once I get back to actually a full practice schedule and in the gym again and stuff, see how my body reacts to that. And then I'll see."
McIlroy looked close to his best off the tee, but he was propping up the field for putting after a week where he teed it up without a practice round due to the back twinge that forced him to withdraw before his third round at the Arnold Palmer Incitational.
"Yeah, happy," he said of his week. "I got through four days, and my body feels good.
"I feel like my game progressively got a little bit better as the week went on, even though the scores probably didn't reflect it.
"Over the weekend, I hit the ball well, but I just didn't make anything on the greens.
"So, yeah, happy to come through four rounds and feel like my body held up well, and a couple of little things to work on.
"But overall, not the week that I wanted. But, you know, just trying to take the positives."
Seamus Power, who is an alternate for this week's Calspar Champiknahil at Innsibrook, finished tied for 70th on eight over after a closing 76
Like McIlroy, he struggled on the greens but enjoyed his best day with the driver in the final round.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau claimed victory at Liv Golf Singapore when wildcard Richard T Lee lipped out from around two and a half feet for par at the first extra hole.
They shot five under 66s to tie on 14 under at Sentosa Golf Club, two shots ahead of Lee Westwood, who closed with a 69.
"Absolutely hated it for Richard," DeChambeau said. "He's been playing some unbelievable golf. He's beaten me in a few of the rounds I've played with him, and he's a stellar player.
"I wanted to go another hole with him. As much as winning is great, I have a lot of respect for Richard and the way he golfs his ball out there."
The team event was won by 4Aces GC featuring Dustin Johnson, Anthony Kim, Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters.
Tom McKibbin was in tied 21st place on four under after a 69, while Graeme McDowell was joint 28th on three under after a level par 71.
On the Ladies European Tour, Hannah Green held her nerve to become the first Australian to win the Women's Australian Open since 2014.
The seven-time LPGA winner carded a two under 70 to see off charges from compatriot Cassie Porter and France's Agathe Laisne to claim a one-shot victory.
