Collin Morikawa shocks fans with early withdrawal from The Players Championship after one hole
Collin Morikawa withdraws from Players Championship with back injury
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa delivered one of the most surprising moments at the The Players Championship after withdrawing from the prestigious tournament just moments after beginning his opening round.
The sudden exit occurred early Thursday morning at TPC Swagrass in Florida, where Morikawa had been among the top contenders for the title. The world No. 4 golfer had only played a single hole before a back injury forced him to end his campaign in one of golf’s richest and most competitive tournaments.
The withdrawal stunned fans and analysts alike, particularly because Morikawa had entered the event in excellent form following a strong start to the 2026 PGA Tour season.
Sudden Back Injury Forces Morikawa to Withdraw
Morikawa began his opening round on the par-5 11th hole but immediately encountered trouble during a routine practise swing.
According to the golfer, he felt no signs of discomfort during his warm-up session before the round. However, as soon as he attempted a practise swing on the tee box, he instantly knew something was wrong.
Morikawa reached for his lower back and visibly grimaced before calling for medical assistance. After several minutes of stretching and evaluation with a trainer, tournament officials transported him by cart back to the clubhouse where he officially withdrew from the event.
Speaking about the moment, Morikawa explained that the pain was severe enough to prevent him from swinging properly.
He said he would have continued playing if it were physically possible, but the injury made it impossible to complete a full swing safely.
The Withdrawal Comes Despite Strong Form in 2026
Morikawa’s early exit from the tournament is particularly disappointing given the strong momentum he carried into the week.
The 29-year-old golfer has been one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tour this season. Earlier this year, he captured the title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, marking his first tour victory in over a year.
In addition to that win, Morikawa recorded several impressive finishes including a fifth-place result at the Arnold Palmer Invitational shortly before arriving at TPC Sawgrass.
Those performances helped him rise to the top of the early season standings in the FedEx Cup race.
With that form, many analysts considered Morikawa a legitimate favourite to challenge for the Players Championship title.
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Injury History Raises Concern for the Golfer
Although Morikawa is widely regarded as one of the most technically consistent players in modern golf, back issues have occasionally interrupted his career.
He previously dealt with similar discomfort during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and later withdrew from the Memorial Tournament in 2023 due to back problems.
Because of those past issues, Morikawa revealed earlier this season that he spent significant time during the offseason focusing on strength and conditioning to improve his physical durability.
He noted that he worked extensively on building overall strength and fitness to prevent injuries and maintain consistency throughout the long PGA Tour schedule.
The Players Championship Loses a Major Contender
Morikawa’s withdrawal is a significant loss for the Players Championship field.
Often described as the “fifth major” in golf due to its elite competition and massive price purse, the tournament regularly features the strongest lineup of players in the sport.
With Morikawa exiting after only one hole, the competition loses one of its most technically gifted ball-strikers and one of the biggest stars in the game.
He also became the second player to withdraw from the tournament this year after Ryan Fox pulled out earlier due to illness.
What This Means for Collins Morikawa Moving Forward
While the severity of Morikawa’s injury remains unclear, his immediate focus will likely be on recovery ahead of the next major events on the PGA Tour calendar.
With the golf season building toward major championships, including the upcoming The Masters Tournament, maintaining full fitness will be critical.
If the injury proves minor, Morikawa could still return quickly and continue his strong 2026 campaign. However, if the issue lingers, it may force him to adjust his schedule in order to avoid further complications.
For now, fans will be closely monitoring updates on one of golf’s most talented players as he looks to bounce back from an unfortunate setback at one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
FAQ
Why did Collin Morikawa withdraw from The Players Championship?
Collin Morikawa withdrew from The Players Championship due to a sudden back injury that occurred during a practice swing on the 11th tee. The pain prevented him from completing a full swing safely.
How many holes did Collin Morikawa play before withdrawing?
Morikawa withdrew after playing only one hole in his opening round of the tournament.
Is Collin Morikawa injured?
Yes, the golfer experienced a lower back injury during the opening round. The severity of the injury has not yet been fully disclosed.
Where did Collin Morikawa withdraw from the tournament?
He withdrew from The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Has Collin Morikawa had back injuries before?
Yes. Morikawa has previously dealt with back issues during the Tokyo Olympics and also withdrew from the Memorial Tournament in 2023 due to similar problems.
What tournament did Collin Morikawa win recently?
Morikawa won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in the 2026 PGA Tour season, marking his first victory in 16 months.
Will Collin Morikawa play in upcoming tournaments?
His participation in upcoming events will depend on the severity of the back injury and how quickly he recovers.
What is Collin Morikawa’s world ranking?
At the time of the tournament, Morikawa was ranked among the top golfers in the world and entered the event as the No. 4 player globally.