Collin Morikawa expects to be back at full strength soon

The two-time major winner withdrew from the Players Championship last week due to a back injury.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:09pm

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Collin Morikawa, the world's No. 6 ranked golfer, said his back is improving and he expects to be at full strength soon, welcomed news with the Masters less than a month away. Morikawa was forced to withdraw from the Players Championship after playing just one hole in his opening round due to a back issue.

Why it matters

Morikawa is considered one of the top young stars in golf, with two major championships already under his belt. His health and ability to compete at the highest level is crucial, especially with the Masters, one of golf's most prestigious events, right around the corner.

The details

Morikawa said his team is running a series of tests to protect the area and ensure he gets stronger to prevent similar issues from happening again. He has dealt with lingering back problems in recent years, including at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Memorial tournament, which forced him to withdraw.

  • Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship on March 9, 2026 after playing just one hole.
  • The Masters tournament is scheduled to take place in less than a month from Morikawa's withdrawal.

The players

Collin Morikawa

A two-time major champion and the world's No. 6 ranked golfer.

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What they’re saying

“My team and I are running a series of tests to make sure we protect the area and continuously get stronger to make sure things like this never happen again.”

— Collin Morikawa

What’s next

Morikawa will continue to undergo testing and treatment to ensure he is fully healthy and ready to compete at the Masters tournament in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Morikawa's back injury is a concern, but the fact that he expects to be back at full strength soon is positive news for one of golf's rising young stars as he prepares for the highly anticipated Masters tournament.