AUGUSTA, Ga. — Collin Morikawa, the two-time major champion, is getting back on the golf course after a recent battle with a back injury. The world’s No. 7 player admits that although his back is feeling fine, he is still not entirely where he wants to be as he gears up for his sixth Masters tournament this Thursday.
"It's unfortunate, but that's just the body, and I can't push it," Morikawa said. "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's preparation has included a week of practice following a withdrawal from The Players Championship, where back spasms forced him to leave after just one hole. He opted not to participate in the Texas Open last week, prioritizing treatment in hopes of being fit for the prestigious tournament at Augusta National.
The young star has a solid record at the Masters, making the cut in all of his previous appearances, including a tie for third in 2024 and three top-10 finishes.
"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," he noted. "It’s a work in progress. But each day just staying positive, trying to get through it."
Meanwhile, reigning champion Scottie Scheffler shared personal news just days before the Masters; he and his wife Meredith welcomed their second child, a daughter named Remy. The couple kept the announcement low-key for nearly a week, and for Scheffler, privacy is paramount.
"There’s no reason that my kids need to be on TV or on my Instagram or whatever it is," Scheffler explained. "I feel like my kids need to have a normal upbringing, or as normal as I can, and we’ll go from there."
"Bennett is still 2, so the hard parenting hasn’t really started yet. It’s more bargaining at this point," Scheffler said, recounting a recent event where he struck a deal with his son over cookies and dinner. "Last night we were leaving a Nike party and he somehow ended up with two sugar cookies, and he hadn’t eaten his dinner yet. It was like, ‘Alright, buddy, if you eat these sausages, I will give you this cookie.’"
In terms of competition, the upcoming tournament features an impressive lineup, with tee times announced Tuesday. Masters rookie John Keefer and Haotong Li will be the first pair off on Thursday after the ceremonial tee shots by golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, and U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell will tee off together at 10:31 a.m. local time. Morikawa is grouped with fellow former champion Hideki Matsuyama and Russell Henley. Scheffler's group features Robert MacIntyre and Gary Woodland, who is fresh off his recuperation from a brain lesion and celebrated a win in Houston two weeks ago.
In a nostalgic note, McIlroy has bid farewell to two clubs significant to his Masters victory: a 7-iron used on a pivotal shot at the 15th hole and a gap wedge he holed for a birdie in a playoff against Justin Rose. The 7-iron was delivered to Augusta National as part of a tradition for champion golfers, while the gap wedge will be featured in an exhibition at the USGA Museum and later at Pinehurst as a commemoration of career Grand Slam winners.
As the Masters edges closer, all eyes will be on Morikawa and fellow contenders, with the tension of competition expected to escalate at Augusta. Fans and players alike are eager for what promises to be an exciting weekend filled with golf.