Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from the 2026 Players Championship after playing just one hole, due to a sudden back injury.
The incident occurred during the opening round on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass. Morikawa, ranked No. 4 in the world and entering the week as the FedExCup leader and one of the tournament favorites, started his round on the back nine. He made par on the par-4 10th hole but experienced sharp discomfort while taking a practice swing on the par-5 11th tee box.
🚨🏌️🤕 #INJURY — Collin Morikawa has WD from The Players. He played one hole before tweaking something.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 12, 2026
Witnesses and broadcasts showed Morikawa grabbing at his lower back, bending over in pain, and stretching in an attempt to continue. After receiving treatment from a PGA Tour physiotherapist and consulting with officials, he was unable to proceed and officially withdrew.
In brief comments to the media following the withdrawal, Morikawa expressed frustration and uncertainty about the cause. “I felt fine in warm-up… nothing’s been any signs of back problems,” he said. “It’s awful. I feel terrible.” He did not specify a timeline for recovery or potential impact on upcoming events.
Morikawa, 29, had been in strong form early in 2026, highlighted by his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, ending a lengthy winless streak.
The abrupt exit came as a blow to fans and bettors alike, with Morikawa among the most-backed players in pre-tournament wagering at major sportsbooks; bets on him were refunded following the WD.
