Collin Morikawa withdraws from THE PLAYERS after one hole with back injury

Collin Morikawa came to TPC Sawgrass as one of the favorites to win THE PLAYERS Championship. He lasted one hole.

Morikawa teed off on the 10th to start his round Thursday morning and made it as far as the 11th tee before his back gave out on him. He took one practice swing, grabbed his side, and that was it. Withdrawn. Done.

Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from THE PLAYERS Championship

Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from @THEPLAYERS. pic.twitter.com/HsffCRoKH4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026

“Teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone. I just had the feeling before when it happened. I can’t swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It’s just the worst thing in the world.”

You believe him. Nobody wants to withdraw from THE PLAYERS, especially not when you are the second favorite on the board behind only Scottie Scheffler. That is not a tournament you walk away from unless your body is genuinely not cooperating.

Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from THE PLAYERS Championship after one hole. pic.twitter.com/SZtsluwsqE

— Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) March 12, 2026

Collin Morikawa came in with real momentum too. He won Pebble Beach earlier this season and just finished fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week.

The two-time major winner was one of the names everyone was circling heading into the week at Sawgrass. Now he is watching from home.

Back injuries are unpredictable and this one came out of nowhere. One practice swing on the 11th tee. Just like that, his tournament was over before it started.

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