The Masters: Frustrated major winner issues worrying injury update

Collin Morikawa has revealed his status for the 2026 Masters is yet to be determined. 

The two-time major winner, 29, was among the pre-tournament betting favourites for the first men's major of the year.

But the American confirmed on Monday that he is still struggling with an injury that forced him to withdraw mid-competition on the PGA Tour last month. 

Morikawa tweaked his back taking a practice swing on only his second hole of the 2026 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass and was whisked away on a golf cart in visible agony. 

The 2021 Open Championship winner told Golf Channel last week that his recovery was going well and he was even in the field for the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. 

But he pulled out at the 11th hour. 

He still doesn't know if he will make it to the first tee on Thursday morning at Augusta National. 

“Yeah, the honest truth is I’m taking it day by day,” Morikawa told reporters. 

“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.

“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 he has still been able to practice, but has been forced into approaching the tradition unlike any other in a different way.

“There’s a comfort level, and this isn’t a place where you want to be uncomfortable, but sometimes you’ve got to find other ways to get around a golf course,” Morikawa said.

“So, I’m kind of, you know, making a different game plan than I think I’ve come up with in the past.”

Still, Morikawa was optimistic about his chances this week. He said his short game feels amazing. 

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Morikawa added. “But at the same time, I can’t do anything stupid and push my body in a way it doesn’t want to do.

“What’s amazing is chipping and putting still feel great. The putter feels amazing. 

"[I have] just got to be able to get the ball there, which like the opposite of how I’ve been, I think, my entire career. It’s just part of it. 

"I think however and whenever I get out of this little back stuff and body stuff, just go out and trust the things that I’ve been doing, and hopefully they click again.”

This is not the first time Morikawa has dealt with back issues.

Morikawa pulled out of the Memorial Tournament in 2023 with a back injury. 

Meanwhile, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy appears to be over his back injury. 

McIlroy, 36, tweaked his back during the Arnold Palmer Invitational and like Morikawa has been managing the issue ever since. 

The Northern Irishman arrived in Georgia over the weekend to watch the Augusta National Women's Amateur and attend the trophy presentation. 

He has already played a round of golf with his father, Gerry, and hit the range yesterday. 

McIlroy displayed no visible signs of discomfort.