Collin Morikawa's comeback from a troubling back injury will have to wait another week. The two-time major champion withdrew from the Valero Texas Open on Tuesday morning, extending his absence from competition that began at THE PLAYERS Championship earlier this month.
Morikawa hasn't competed since walking off the course at TPC Sawgrass after playing just one hole, when back spasms struck during what appeared to be a routine practice swing on the 11th tee. The injury came without warning during the second round of THE PLAYERS, forcing the former world No. 1 to abandon his round in visible discomfort.
"Took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone," Morikawa said following the incident at TPC Sawgrass. "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."
The PGA Tour confirmed that Morikawa continues to experience residual effects from the non-contact injury sustained at THE PLAYERS Championship. His withdrawal from San Antonio comes as a significant blow to the tournament field, as the 27-year-old was considered among the favorites at TPC San Antonio.
This latest setback appears particularly frustrating for Morikawa, who had been in excellent form prior to the injury. The California native captured his first victory of 2026 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, then followed with impressive showings at The Genesis Invitational (T7) and the Arnold Palmer Invitational (T5).
Morikawa's history with back issues adds another layer of concern to his current situation. Previous episodes have taught him the importance of proper preparation and recovery protocols. "Yeah, if I had to lift stuff and move around. I mean, I'm not back squatting or front squatting anything. I kind of know the protocols of what to do and kind of dance around it. But it's going to take a little bit of time," he said during a previous injury recovery.
The timing of this withdrawal raises significant questions about Morikawa's availability for the Masters Tournament, which begins in just over a week. As of Tuesday, he remains in the Augusta National field, but his participation appears increasingly uncertain given the persistent nature of his back problems.
Morikawa's Masters record makes his potential absence particularly notable. The two-time major winner has recorded four consecutive top-15 finishes at Augusta National, including his best showing of T3 in 2024. His consistent performance at the year's first major has established him as a perennial contender on the Georgia layout.
The unpredictable nature of back injuries in golf has proven particularly troublesome for elite players. Morikawa's description of the sudden onset at THE PLAYERS highlights how quickly these issues can derail preparation and competition schedules. "It's just frustrating, because I don't know what caused it. Maybe something wasn't activated enough or what, but I went through all the warmups, felt fine," he reflected on a previous back episode.
With Gary Woodland's recent victory at the Texas Children's Houston Open demonstrating the high level of play on tour, Morikawa's absence removes a significant challenger from the Valero Texas Open field. The tournament will proceed without one of its marquee names as players compete for crucial FedExCup points and Masters momentum.
Morikawa's team will now focus on getting him healthy for Augusta National, though the timeline remains uncertain. Back injuries require careful management to prevent re-aggravation, particularly for a player whose swing generates the power and precision that has made him one of golf's premier ball-strikers.
The golf world will be watching closely for updates on Morikawa's condition as the Masters approaches, with his participation in the season's first major hanging in the balance.