Collin Morikawa played the first hole on Thursday at the high-profile tournament, The Players Championship.
He did not play the second. He decided to withdraw from the tournament instead.
In such a big event, it was a shock to golf fans as the news trickled out on Thursday morning.
Here’s what we know about what happened.
Why did Collin Morikawa withdraw?
Morikawa withdrew due to any injury that he appeared to sustain on the first hole.
According to USA Today, Morikawa was “grabbing at his lower back and bending over in discomfort after taking a practice swing before his tee shot on No. 11 at TPC Sawgrass.” That was his second hole, as he started on the back nine.
“Morikawa received treatment from a physiotherapist before leaving the course and announcing he could no longer compete at this year’s Players Championship,” USA Today added.
Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from @THEPLAYERS. pic.twitter.com/HsffCRoKH4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
Morikawa already has a win this season, at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month. A week ago, he finished in fifth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He entered this week’s tournament at No. 4 in the world golf rankings. He was considered one of the favorites at the Players.
Instead, Morikawa’s week ended before it had hardly even begun.
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