Collin Morikawa’s premature exit from The Players Championship due to back spasms throws his Masters preparations into disarray and exposes vulnerability in his bid for golf’s biggest titles.
In a stunning turn at TPC Sawgrass, Collin Morikawa was forced to withdraw from The Players Championship after completing just one hole, citing severe back discomfort that rendered him unable to swing properly. The two-time PGA Tour winner, who had just parred his opening hole, was seen in obvious pain on the 11th tee box and was ultimately escorted off the course in a cart, leaving his playing partners, Ludvig Aberg and Si Woo Kim, to continue as a twosome.
“I felt fine in warm-up,” Morikawa said afterward. “Like nothing’s been any signs of back problems. Honestly, (on the) first hole (I) felt great, hit two great shots, hit a great putt. Teed it up, nothing felt bad. (I) teed it up on 11 and took one practice swing and I just knew it was gone. It all hit me at one second, where I was like, ‘Something doesn’t feel right.’ I took a practice swing, there it was, like not being able to swing. Trust me, I would play if I could. It’s just the worst thing in the world.”
Morikawa entered the tournament as one of the favorites to win, according to betting odds analysis from NY Post. His recent form has been stellar, highlighted by a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in January, followed by a tie for seventh at the Genesis Invitational and a fifth-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week. This abrupt withdrawal is a significant blow not only to his chances at The Players but also to his preparations for the Masters Tournament next month.
A back injury, especially one that flares up suddenly, can be notoriously difficult to manage in golf’s high-intensity season. Morikawa admitted he’s experienced similar issues before, suggesting a recurring weakness that could undermine his consistency during the season’s major championships. “Before I even took my practice swing, it’s like you had a weird deja vu thing,” he explained. “I took the practice swing and immediately knew I just couldn’t get through impact. At that point, (I) called over my trainer and talked about it with my caddie Mark (Urbanek). It just sucks. It’s just frustrating, because I don’t know what caused it. I went through all the warmups (and) felt fine.”
The Players Championship, often regarded as the ‘fifth major’ due to its prestige and challenging stadium course at TPC Sawgrass, serves as a critical benchmark for players heading into the Masters. As noted by NY Post Sports, the event attracts the world’s best and is a key indicator of form. Morikawa’s absence opens the field for contenders, but for him, it represents a lost opportunity to gain momentum on one of golf’s grandest stages. Winners of The Players often go on to major success, with past champions like Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, and Webb Simpson using the event as a springboard.
With the Masters just weeks away, Morikawa now faces a race against time. “I kind of know the protocols of what to do and kind of dance around it,” he said, “but it’s going to take a little bit of time.” His team will likely implement a cautious rehabilitation plan, but the fear among fans is that this could be a symptom of a deeper issue that might sideline him longer than hoped. The timing is particularly cruel given Morikawa’s momentum—his recent top-5 finishes suggested he was peaking for the season’s first major, and now his status for Augusta is in jeopardy.
This news is a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on modern professional golfers. Morikawa’s powerful swing, while an asset, can also be a liability if his body isn’t perfectly aligned. His past success—including a PGA Championship win—shows his resilience, but back problems have derailed many promising careers before they peak. Golf enthusiasts are already buzzing with concern, debating whether this is a minor flare-up or a sign of a chronic problem that could derail his 2026 season. The underlying anxiety is clear: can Morikawa recover in time to contend at Augusta National, or will this injury become a defining setback in his quest for major glory?
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