The 2026 Players Championship field has undergone significant changes following the early withdrawals of stars Collin Morikawa and Ryan Fox.
Both players were forced to exit the PGA Tour’s flagship event due to sudden medical issues, leaving fans and fantasy players stunned. Morikawa withdrew after one hole on March 12, 2026, after feeling lower-back pain during a practice swing on the 11th tee. He said he had felt something similar before, but he also said he felt fine in the warm-up.
These absences have shifted the competitive landscape at TPC Sawgrass as the remaining field battles for the $25 million purse. Let’s take a closer look.
Why did Collin Morikawa withdraw after one hole?
Collin Morikawa was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Thursday morning after suffering a sudden and debilitating back injury during his opening round. The two-time major champion had just completed the 10th hole with a par and appeared to be in good spirits. However, everything changed when he reached the 11th tee box and took a routine practice swing.
The world No. 4 immediately reached for his lower back and showed visible signs of distress before calling for a PGA Tour trainer. After a brief consultation and some attempted stretching, it became clear that the 29-year-old was unable to rotate his torso or swing through impact. He eventually took a cart ride back to the clubhouse, ending a week where he was considered one of the heavy favorites.
Morikawa later expressed his deep frustration, noting that he felt completely fine during his morning warm-up session at the range. He described the sensation as a “deja vu” moment, referring to previous bouts with back tightness that have occasionally interrupted his career. Because he had already teed off, PGA Tour rules did not allow for an alternate to take his place in the field.
What kept Ryan Fox from starting his round?
Ryan Fox withdrew from the competition before his Thursday afternoon tee time after being diagnosed with kidney stones that required immediate surgery. The New Zealander had been dealing with significant pain since Tuesday night but initially hoped he might be able to recover in time to compete. As the symptoms worsened, he was admitted to a local hospital where he underwent a successful surgical procedure to address the issue.
Fox shared the news with his fans via social media, posting a photo from his hospital bed to explain his absence from the prestigious event. He mentioned feeling “devastated” to miss out on the tournament, especially given his strong form to start the 2026 season. His withdrawal opened the door for first alternate David Ford to join the field alongside Keegan Bradley and Chris Kirk.
The timing of the withdrawal was a point of discussion for many fans, as it was not made official until Thursday morning at 7:56 a.m. ET. PGA Tour officials clarified that they processed the request as soon as Fox’s team provided notification, ensuring the alternate had enough time to prepare. While Fox is now recovering, there is currently no firm timeline for when he will return to competitive play on the tour.
Fun fact: TPC Sawgrass, the home of The Players, features one of the most famous golf holes, the par-3 17th, which requires a shot to an “island green” that is actually a peninsula.
How did these exits impact the tournament field?
The 2026 Players Championship field of 123 players saw a significant shift following two notable withdrawals. Most impactful was Collin Morikawa’s exit; as a staple in nearly 40% of major daily fantasy sports lineups, his departure after starting his round effectively ‘bricked’ those rosters, leaving thousands of managers with an unfillable hole for the rest of the tournament.
The addition of David Ford provided a unique storyline, as the young standout from the PGA Tour University system was thrust into the spotlight on short notice. Ford entered on short notice but missed the cut at +3. The absence of stars like Morikawa and Fox certainly thinned the top end of the leaderboard. This has placed even more pressure on remaining favorites like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to carry the tournament’s momentum.
McIlroy himself entered the week with lingering questions regarding a “stubborn” back injury of his own, though he opted to play through the discomfort. The physical toll that the 2026 season has already taken on the game’s biggest stars is becoming a central theme of the spring schedule. Tournament officials are now monitoring the health of the remaining players as the cut line approaches and the intensity increases.
Fun fact: While The Players brands itself as the ‘strongest field in golf,’ the 2026 edition featured 47 of the world’s top 50 players at the time of the announcement.
What is next for Morikawa and Fox?
Both golfers are now focusing on their respective recoveries with an eye toward the upcoming major championship season in April. Morikawa’s back issue is believed to be muscular rather than structural, which typically suggests a shorter recovery window if managed correctly. He will likely undergo intensive physical therapy and rest to ensure he is fully mobile before attempting to return to the practice range.
For Ryan Fox, the recovery from kidney stone surgery is generally straightforward, but it requires a period of total rest to allow the body to heal. He expressed hope for a quick turnaround, as he intends to build momentum heading into his third career appearance at Augusta National. The golf world will be watching the injury reports closely over the next several weeks to see if these two stars can return to full strength.
The PGA Tour schedule remains relentless, and missing a signature event like The Players is a significant blow to FedEx Cup standings. However, for both men, the priority is clearly long-term health over immediate results. Their absences at Sawgrass serve as a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on modern professional golfers during the busiest stretch of the year.
TL;DR
- Collin Morikawa withdrew after completing just one hole on Thursday due to a sudden and severe back injury.
- Ryan Fox was forced to pull out before his first round began to undergo surgery for kidney stones.
- First alternate David Ford replaced Fox in the field, while Morikawa could not be replaced because he had already teed off.
- These withdrawals have major implications for fantasy golf players and the overall strength of the tournament field.
- Both players are now targeting a recovery in time for the Masters next month.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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