Collin Morikawa WDs after one hole of 2026 Players: "It's the worst thing in the world"

Collin Morikawa says "it sucks" after he only lasted one hole of the 2026 Players Championship. 

Morikawa was one of the pre-tournament favourites at TPC Sawgrass. 

But the former Open champion, 29, was forced to withdraw after tweaking his back. 

Morikawa started on the back nine alongside Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and South Korea's Si Woo Kim. 

He registered a par on his first hole but was seen in visible discomfort as he prepared to hit his tee shot down the 11th. 

Morikawa called for a trainer and, despite attempting to make more swings, had to accept defeat. 

Aberg and Kim continued the opening round as a two-ball. 

Morikawa later told reporters that he has "had this stuff before" but there were no signs of any issues prior to his tee time. 

"I took the practice swing and immediately knew, like, I just couldn't get through impact," Morikawa said. 

"So at that point called over my trainer, and talked about it with my caddie Mark, and it just sucks. I don't know how to put it in words."

He added:"I felt fine in warm-up. Like nothing's been any signs of back problems. 

"And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone. 

"Like I just had the feeling before when it's happened. 

"And I just, I can't swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It's just the worst thing in the world."

Morikawa is not the first player to withdraw from the PGA Tour's flagship event. 

Prior to his tee time, two-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox withdrew citing illness. The Kiwi was replaced in the 123-man field by young American David Ford. 

For Morikawa, though, it is a bitterly disappointing development. 

Last month, Morikawa ended a two-year winless drought at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

He has continued his strong play in recent weeks, finishing in a tie for seventh at the Genesis Invitational and fifth last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Morikawa may not be the only high-profile casualty this week. 

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy withdrew from the aforementioned Arnold Palmer Invitational last week after hurting his back in his warm-up. 

McIlroy told reporters on Wednesday evening that he will make a "game-time decision" as to whether to attempt to defend his title.