Rory McIlroy three off the lead in Tour Championship despite back injury

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Upbeat sentiment from Rory McIlroy regarding a lower back injury will be as much of a relief to Luke Donald as the world No 2 himself.

McIlroy's participation in the Tour Championship looked in serious doubt because of the problem, which prevented him from playing any pre-tournament holes at East Lake. With the Ryder Cup a little more than a month away, Donald and his European contingent will be banking on a fit McIlroy.