News & Tours

Rory Sabbatini WDs from Arnold Palmer Invitational after suffering leg injury

March 05, 2022
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Kevin C. Cox

ORLANDO—Rory Sabbatini withdrew midway through the third round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Saturday, citing injury.

Despite opening with a 77 on Thursday, Sabbatini made the weekend at Bay Hill with a bounce-back effort Friday, turning in a three-under 69. However he toured the front nine in 39 shots Saturday morning and opened the second side with two 6s and two 5s, falling to last among those who made the cut. According to Shot Tracer Sabbatini did hit his tee shot on the par-3 14th before dropping out of the competition.

The PGA Tour comms team said a leg injury was the reason for Sabbatini’s WD. Video showed that Sabbatini may have injured his leg while trying to rake a bunker. 

Sabbatini, 45, won the silver medal in last year’s Olympic competition in the Tokyo Summer Games, but failed to reach the FedEx Cup Playoffs and is thus competing on tour this season under a Top 50 money winners exemption. He had made nine previous starts this campaign, highlighted by a T-3 finish at the Shriners Open in the fall, and entered the week 102nd in the FedEx Cup standings.

Sabbatini did not qualify for next week’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.