The Players: Rory McIlroy begins title defence alongside Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama as PGA Tour reveal Featured Groups

Rory McIlroy has been grouped alongside Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama for the first two rounds of his title defence at The Players.

McIlroy became just the eighth player in history to become a multiple winner of the PGA Tour's flagship event during last year's contest, where he defeated JJ Spaun in a Monday play-off to add to his 2019 success.

The world No 2 is bidding to join Scottie Scheffler as the only back-to-back winner of The Players, although arrives at TPC Sawgrass having been forced to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational mid-tournament due to a back injury.

McIlroy pulled out ahead of his third round after developing muscle spasms in his lower back, having first felt a twinge during his warm-up in the gym, with his mid-tournament withdrawal just the third in his professional career.