Paolo Uggetti Mar 12, 2026, 09:32 AM ET

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Collin Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship early Thursday morning with a back injury.

The two-time major winner and winner of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this season had played only one hole in his opening round when he took a full-speed practice swing on the 11th tee and backed off.

"I felt fine in warm-up. Like no signs of back problems. And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone," Morikawa said. "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."

Morikawa, who was one of the favorites at TPC Sawgrass this week, reached for his back and grimaced before calling for a trainer.…