Collin Morikawa Withdraws From The Players Championship
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa shocked golf fans after withdrawing from the The Players Championship on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Morikawa had started the opening round of the tournament but pulled out after completing just one hole, ending his participation almost immediately. The unexpected withdrawal became one of the biggest stories of the tournament, as the American golfer was considered a strong contender for the title.
Why Did Collin Morikawa Withdraw Today?
Morikawa withdrew due to a back injury suffered during a practice swing early in the round.
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He successfully played the par-4 10th hole, making par.
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While preparing for the next hole, he took a practice swing and felt sudden discomfort in his back.
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The injury forced him to stop playing, and he was taken off the course by cart shortly afterward.
Reports indicated that the pain appeared unexpectedly and prevented him from continuing the round safely. Because the tournament is one of the most demanding events on the PGA Tour, players typically withdraw immediately when dealing with serious physical discomfort.
Collin Morikawa Tee Time Today
Morikawa’s scheduled Round 1 tee time at The Players Championship was in the morning wave on Thursday.
However, his round lasted only a single hole before the injury occurred, meaning he never fully entered the competition. Once the withdrawal was confirmed, tournament officials updated the leaderboard to mark him as WD (withdrawn).
Recent Form Before The Withdrawal
Before the injury setback, Morikawa had been playing some of the best golf of his season.
Recent highlights included:
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Victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in the year
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Multiple top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour
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Entering The Players Championship as one of the favorites
His strong form made the early withdrawal even more surprising for fans and analysts.
What This Means For The Masters
With the The Masters Tournament approaching in a few weeks, Morikawa’s injury has raised concerns about his readiness for the first major championship of the season.
While early reports suggest the issue may be manageable, Morikawa and his team will likely focus on recovery and medical evaluation before confirming his next tournament appearance.
Latest News Around Morikawa
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Morikawa withdrew after just one hole at TPC Sawgrass.
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The injury occurred during a practice swing on the tee box.
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He had recently been in strong form with several top finishes.
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Attention now shifts to whether he will be fully fit for upcoming PGA Tour events and the Masters.
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