Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa withdraws from The Players Championship after one hole
Collin Morikawa reacts after putting on the first hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill golf tournament Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (Matt Slocum, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa withdrew from The Players Championship after one hole on Thursday.
Morikawa, the No. 4 player in the world, took a practice swing on the par-5 11th hole and reached for his lower back. He tried to stretch, and minutes later took a cart ride from an official into the clubhouse.
Morikawa won at Pebble Beach earlier this year, his first PGA Tour title in 16 months.
He was the second player to withdraw from the richest tournament in golf. Ryan Fox withdrew with an illness before his afternoon tee time.
Morikawa was not replaced because he had already started the tournament.
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Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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