Collin Morikawa back injury: How American golfer is battling through ailments to play in 2026 Masters

Collin Morikawa is no stranger to high finishes at the Masters. This time around, however, he'll have an uphill battle, playing through a back injury. 

Morikawa's results were looking up following a strong performance at the 2024 Masters and a win at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, but this injury has plagued him over the past month. 

This year will be Morikawa's seventh time at the Masters, but it remains to be seen how long he will be able to keep competing in this year's event. 

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Collin Morikawa back injury 

Morikawa withdrew from both The Players Championships and the Valero Texas Open due to sharp back pains on a practice swing on the second hole of The Players Championships. 

Morikawa's current status is day-to-day as he recovers.

"It's not exactly where I want to be, and it's unfortunate, but that's just the body and I can't push it," Morikawa told Cameron Jourdan of Golfweek. 

There's also a mental aspect that has affected Morikawa.

"It's been a little bit of a mental battle, I think, just trying to trust with where it's at. The back actually feels fine. It's just other parts of the body not cooperating a little bit how I want," Morikawa said. 

MORE: Collin Morikawa's majors timeline, wins, championship history

How did Collin Morikawa hurt his back? 

During the second hole of The Player's Championship, Morikawa began grabbing at his back in pain. He later sat on the golf cart and departed from the green, withdrawing. 

At Valero, Morikawa elected not to play a hole at all, withdrawing before his tee time as a result of the same back injury. 

There are also concerns with Morikawa's ability to hit long drives. In Monday's practice, Morikawa was "really just chipping and putting," according to Paul Hodowanic of PGA Tour.

MORE: Why did Collin Morikawa withdraw from The Players Championship?

Has Collin Morikawa won a Masters? 

Morikawa has never won a Masters, but that's not for lack of trying. After he graduated from the University of California - Berkeley in 2019, he launched onto the pro scene, playing in his first Masters Tournament in 2020. 

In the five years that followed, he finished in the top 20 every single time, with his highest placement being a third-place tie in 2024.

With a fully healthy Collin Morikawa, seeing him win the Masters would hardly be a surprise. 

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Collin Morikawa Masters results 

Morikawa has flirted with a Masters win several times in his career, finishing in the top five in two of the past four years. 

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