SUMMARY
- Collin Morikawa withdrew from the 2026 Players Championship due to a back injury.
- Morikawa had played only one hole in his opening round before seeking medical assistance.
- He leads the FedEx Cup standings and had three top-10 finishes this season.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Two time major champion Collin Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship on Thursday after sustaining a back injury during his opening round at TPC Sawgrass.
The 29 year old, who had recently won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, played just one hole before stopping after a full speed practice swing on the 11th tee.
Morikawa said he initially felt no issues during warm-ups. “I felt fine in warm-up. Like no signs of back problems. And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone,” he said.
“I can’t swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It’s just the worst thing in the world.” Tournament officials confirmed that Morikawa was assessed by medical staff before being carted off the course.
Morikawa entered the tournament as one of the favorites, demonstrating strong form this season with a recent win at Pebble Beach and a fifth place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
His withdrawal removes a top contender and may affect the early FedEx Cup leaderboard.
Morikawa has faced back issues previously, including at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Memorial Tournament, where he was forced to withdraw.
This season, he emphasized offseason training focused on strength and health. “I put a lot of work into my body just to get stronger in general, get healthier, get strong, get fitter,” Morikawa said earlier this week.
Golf analyst Doug Greenberg noted, “Morikawa’s withdrawal highlights the fine line athletes walk between peak performance and injury. His absence reshapes the competitive dynamics at Sawgrass.”
Sports physiologist Dr. Samantha Cole of the American College of Sports Medicine said, “Back injuries in professional golfers often stem from cumulative stress, not a single swing. Morikawa’s early exit may prevent a more serious setback.”
Tournament director Jay Monahan said, “Player safety is our priority. Collin made the right decision.” Fellow competitor Brooks Koepka added, “It’s tough seeing top players go out, but health comes first.”
Morikawa is expected to undergo further evaluation to determine the recovery timeline. His withdrawal may impact FedEx Cup projections and invitations to upcoming events, including majors.
The early exit of Collin Morikawa from the Players Championship underscores the challenges athletes face in balancing performance and health. With strong early season form, his return will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
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