Golf LIVE: Rory McIlroy Masters dinner concern as Tiger Woods apology statement released

Follow all the latest golf news with the Mirror's dedicated live-blog with the Masters just over a week away as the fallout over Tiger Woods' car crash continues

Hello and welcome to the Mirror's golf live-blog.

One of the most iconic sporting events returns next week as the Masters gets underway at Augusta National on April 9. The iconic green jacket will be at stake for the winner once again as Rory McIlroy looks to make it back-to-back success in the major.

The Northern Irishman beat Justin Rose in a playoff 12 months ago in a significant triumph for McIlroy as he finally completed the Career Grand Slam after the Masters evaded his grasp.

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Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods has been back in the headlines over the past seven days but for all the wrong reasons as his participation in Georgia looks to be unlikely. Woods was arrested at the weekend after flipping his Land Rover in Jupiter, Florida where he has since been charged with driving under the influence, destruction of property and failing to submit a lawful test..

He is still set to meet the Masters chairman, Fred Ridley, this week. Meanwhile, McIlroy's Masters dinner choices have sparked concern.

Stay tuned for all of the latest golf news and updates in Mirror's live blog below...

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06:43Stephen Killen

Rory McIlroy concern emerges ahead of Masters

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has raised concerns over Rory McIlroy’s preparations for the upcoming Masters tournament.

The 36-year-old will defend his crown at Augusta next week but goes into the illustrious tournament on the back of disrupted preparations.

He has been hampered by injury and having been forced to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a back problem, he returned a week later finishing in a ti efor 46th at the Players.

McGinley told Sky Sports:

“He got disrupted in Florida.

“It really cost him two tournaments, Bay Hill, where he was doing OK after two rounds and had to pull out with a back injury, and the following week [at The Players], when he actually did play, but with no preparation.

“He finished well down the field and his stats were well off the pace there. It is a bit worrying. He did get distracted, although he says he’s over the injury now and he’s taken a few weeks off. He’s at home in Florida practicing and getting ready.

“It’s always difficult to defend at the Masters. There are so many obligations you have as a defending champion, not just hosting the dinner on Tuesday night for past champions.

“He’ll probably be around there at the ladies’ event before that and maybe even the Drive, Chip and Putt for the kids the day before. So there are a lot of obligations, a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny.”

06:46Stephen Killen

A Masters promo to get the juices flowing

Excited for the Masters?

Well, the promo might just do that.

What an occasion we could have in Georgia next week with golf’s biggest and best players going head-to-head to win the coveted prize and have that green jacket placed on their backs.

Scottie Scheffler heads up the market with the current best player in the world adding two majors since last year’s tournament and he will be looking for a third green jacket in five years.

Rory McIlroy is the defending champion and is high on the list of candidates to win the tournament.

Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Hidek Matsuyama and Jordan Speith have all claimed success at Augusta in the past.

While the winners of the US Open in the last five years will be hoping to add Masters success with Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark and JJ Spaun all looking to get their name on the honours board.

06:44Stephen Killen

Tiger Woods apology following car crash

Television broadcaster NBC has apologised to Tiger Woods after the aired images of the wrong car following the golf star’s crash, last week.

The 50-year-old was involved in an accident and later arrested after he tried to overtake a truck and trailer on a residential road.

The 15-time major winners’ vehicle tipped on its side in the latest crash for the golfing icon, in recent years.

NBC aired footage from Woods’ crash five years ago rather than the scenes from Friday’s crash.

Dan Hicks said: "We want to take this time to make a correction. Before we came on the air today with our regular PGA Tour coverage.... our studio show inadvertently showed the incorrect picture of the car crash Tiger Woods was in.

"It was another previous car crash. It was not the correct one. The latest one, that was yesterday, so, we apologise for that. Just wanted to straighten that out before we go any further."

06:42Stephen Killen

Your one-stop place for all things golf news

Hello and welcome to our dedicated golf live-blog.

We will be bringing you all the latest news, views and analysis from the sport.

One of the most anticipated tournaments of the year is on the horizon and will be hitting screens once again.

We will have all the build-up and talking points from Augusta, let’s get straight into it.