Collin Morikawa Opens Up About Back Injury Fears and Tournament Return Strategy

Former world No. 1 Collin Morikawa has opened up about his ongoing battle with a back injury that has left him playing with unprecedented fear and uncertainty.

The Fear Factor

Morikawa candidly admitted he's "never been this scared in my life" to compete, revealing the psychological impact of his physical ailment. The injury occurred during The Players Championship where he withdrew after just one practice swing on his second hole at TPC Sawgrass, forcing him to miss three weeks of competition.

Playing at Half Capacity

Currently operating at approximately 50% swing speed, Morikawa described the challenge of competing without full trust in his body. "There's just no trust, and that's the hardest thing, to say go fire at the shot when you're trying to play in a tournament," he explained.

Despite these limitations, his results remain impressive: - Masters Tournament: Shot 11-under over final three rounds for T7 finish - RBC Heritage: Posted rounds of 67-68 to remain in weekend contention

Strategic Approach

While Morikawa has dealt with back issues for three years, this marks the first time he's been injured during actual play rather than in gym training. He's taking a cautious "dinking it around, slapping it" approach while competing.

With a demanding schedule ahead featuring three signature events and two majors over six weeks, Morikawa acknowledges he may need time at home to properly address the issue. His selection of Harbour Town as "one of the flattest courses" demonstrates his strategic tournament choices during recovery.