The golf world was stunned on Thursday morning when Collin Morikawa suddenly dropped out of The Players Championship. Everything seemed fine as the world No. 4 and FedEx Cup leader started his round at TPC Sawgrass. However, the mood changed quickly after he finished his very first hole and called for medical help.
Fans and experts were confused as they watched one of the top favorites leave the course so early in the day. This unexpected exit has everyone worried about his health, with the major season right around the corner.
Let’s take a closer look.
What caused Collin Morikawa to withdraw?
The primary reason for Collin Morikawa’s withdrawal was a sudden onset of lower back pain that occurred during a practice swing on the 11th tee. Morikawa started his day at 8:40 a.m. ET off the 10th hole and looked comfortable while carding an opening par. However, the situation changed instantly when he reached the par-5 11th and felt a sharp sensation that he later described as “deja vu” from previous career injuries.
Despite feeling completely loose and healthy during his pre-round warmup at the range, the pain hit with such intensity that he knew he could not continue. Morikawa was seen clutching his back and stretching on the tee box before ultimately consulting with his trainer and caddie, Mark Urbanek. After speaking with his trainer and caddie, Morikawa decided he could not continue
How did the injury happen so suddenly?
According to Morikawa, the injury appeared out of nowhere despite an extensive and successful morning routine that showed no signs of physical distress. He informed reporters that he felt great while hitting balls on the range and even felt athletic during his play on the 10th hole. The sharp pain only manifested once he took a practice swing on the 11th, making the timing of the injury particularly baffling for his medical team.
The golfer noted that while he can move around relatively normally, the specific motion required for a full golf swing at high velocity is currently impossible. He described the feeling as being unable to “get through impact,” a sensation he has dealt with sparingly in the past. This specific type of back spasm often requires immediate rest to prevent a more chronic condition from developing during the meat of the season.
Fun fact: Collin Morikawa is one of only two players, alongside Tiger Woods, to win both a major championship and a WGC title before turning 25.
What did Morikawa say about the incident?
Morikawa expressed deep frustration over the withdrawal, stating that he would have stayed on the course if there were any physical way to compete. Speaking to the media after being carted back to the clubhouse, he called the situation “the worst thing in the world” because of the momentum he had built recently. He emphasized that he had worked hard during the offseason to strengthen his body and had been “moving weight” and “pushing” without any issues until this specific moment.
He also mentioned that the feeling was unmistakable, telling PGA Tour officials that he “just knew it was gone” the second he felt the tweak. The two-time major winner was clearly emotional about the early exit, especially given his status as the FedEx Cup leader. His departure means the field at TPC Sawgrass continues with 122 players, as he had already teed off and could not be replaced by an alternate.
Fun fact: TPC Sawgrass, the home of The Players, features the famous “Island Green” on the 17th hole, which sees nearly 125,000 golf balls hit into the water by tourists every year.
Why is the timing so bad for the world No. 4?
The injury comes at a time when Morikawa was playing some of the most consistent and dominant golf of his professional career. He arrived at TPC Sawgrass riding a streak of 13 consecutive rounds under par, which was the longest active streak on the PGA Tour. Just last month, he ended a 28-month winless drought by capturing the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, signaling a major return to form.
In addition to his victory, he recently secured a tie for seventh at the Genesis Invitational and a solo fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational just last week. With the Masters only a month away, the sudden physical setback raises questions about his preparation for the season’s first major.
Fun fact: Collin Morikawa once went 22 consecutive events without missing a cut to start his professional career, the second-longest streak ever behind Tiger Woods’ 25.
How did fantasy golf and betting markets react?
Morikawa’s early withdrawal caused a significant stir in the sports betting and daily fantasy worlds, as he was the most-owned player in many formats. Data showed that he was selected in approximately 40% of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) lineups and was the top pick in many “one-and-done” contests. Because he completed one hole before withdrawing, most platforms considered his stats “locked in,” resulting in a total loss for many fantasy managers.
However, some major sportsbooks like DraftKings announced they would refund certain bets on Morikawa under their “Early Exit” programs to maintain customer goodwill. This rare move highlights Morikawa’s popularity among the betting public this season. Despite the financial headache for some, the primary concern remains the health of one of golf’s brightest young stars as the 2026 season enters its most critical stretch.
TL;DR
- Collin Morikawa withdrew from The Players after one hole due to sudden, sharp lower back pain on the 11th tee.
- The injury was unexpected, as Morikawa felt completely healthy during his pre-round warmups and opening hole.
- He entered the week as the world No. 4 and the FedEx Cup points leader following a win at Pebble Beach.
- Morikawa told ESPN he was targeting a return at the Valero Texas Open and felt positive about the Masters.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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