Collin Morikawa delivered one of the most courageous performances of his career at Augusta National, grinding through back pain and spasms to secure a tied-for-seventh finish at the Masters.
The two-time major champion completed the tournament at 9-under 279, a remarkable achievement considering he withdrew from The Players Championship last month after just one hole due to severe back problems.
"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," Morikawa explained about his withdrawal from TPC Sawgrass. "Like I just had the feeling before when it's happened. And I just, I can't swing through it."
The injury clearly affected Morikawa's preparation and early tournament play at Augusta. He struggled to an opening-round 74, looking uncomfortable and restricted in his swing mechanics throughout the first day.
However, Morikawa showed remarkable resilience over the final three rounds. Despite playing through obvious discomfort that visibly impacted his swing, he managed to shoot three consecutive rounds in the 60s, including back-to-back 68s on Saturday and Sunday.
"Yeah, I've had this stuff before, and been healthy all throughout the year, been moving weight and pushing, going fast," Morikawa said about the recurring nature of his back issues. "I don't know, like, before I even took my practice swing, it's like you had, like a weird, like deja vu thing."
The highlight of Morikawa's week came during Sunday's final round, when he rattled off five consecutive birdies on the back nine. This impressive scoring run helped him post his second straight 68 and climb up the leaderboard despite his physical limitations.
Morikawa's performance represented more than just a strong tournament finish – it became a testament to mental fortitude and determination. Playing through pain that had previously forced him to withdraw mid-round, he managed to compete at golf's most prestigious venue.
"Trust me, it's going to be one of the best tournaments forever," Morikawa reflected on his week at Augusta. "I'm going to remember this one for many reasons, but just more how strong the mind is, to be able to go out and convince yourself that everything is going to be OK."
The back problems have been a recurring issue for Morikawa, though he had been managing them well throughout most of the season. "Yeah, it's been awhile. Like I said, like I've been really, really good with the body so far throughout the fall, and it's been a little while," he noted about the timing of the flare-up.
Despite the physical challenges, Morikawa's T-7 finish at the Masters represents a significant accomplishment. His ability to battle through adversity and post competitive scores while clearly compromised physically demonstrates the mental toughness that has helped him capture two major championships.
The performance also raises questions about Morikawa's immediate schedule and recovery plan. His ability to compete effectively while managing this injury will be crucial as he looks ahead to the remainder of the season.
