Collin Morikawa, who was among the betting favorites for this week Players Championshipwithdrew due to injury just one hole into the tournament TPC Sawgrass.
Morikawa was taking a practice swing on the 11th tee – his second hole of the day – when he tripped on something and caught his lower back. He stepped off the tee box and hunched over in obvious embarrassment as he spoke to his card. Morikawa spoke to his coach and a few minutes later he pulled over, got on a trolley and returned to the club.
“I felt good in the warm-up,” Morikawa told reporters afterward. “Like nothing there’s been any signs of back problems. And I got on the 11th, and I took a practice swing, and I just knew it was gone. If only I had the feeling before when it happened. And I just, I can’t get over it. Believe me, I would play if I could. It’s the worst thing in the world.”
Morikawa said the whole situation felt that way deja vu of a previous back injury.
“Honestly, the first hole felt great,” he said. “Hit two great shots. Hit one good shot. Try it, nothing felt wrong. If they all hit me in one second, where I was, something didn’t feel right. I took a practice swing, there it was, like I wasn’t able to swing.”
Morikawa entered the tournament playing some of his best golf in years. He won at Pebble Beach last month for his first victory since October 2023, and in his two starts since he was 7th and 5th. Scottie Scheffler (+350) and Rory McIlroy (+1200) opened with the best odds to win the Players, but Morikawa tied for third at +2500.
“It’s just frustrating because I don’t know what caused it,” Morikawa said. “Maybe something wasn’t activated enough or what, but I got through all the warm-ups, I felt good. It’s just, yeah, it’s terrible. I feel terrible.”
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