Collin Morikawa (back) WDs from Players Championship

Field Level Media|published: 03/12/2026, 10:13am EDT

Mar 7, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Collin Morikawa plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa withdrew from The Players Championship on Thursday after playing one hole.

The PGA Tour cited a back injury as the reason for the withdrawal of the world's fourth-ranked golfer.

Morikawa began the opening round at TPC Sawgrass on Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on the 10th hole and made a par. In taking some practice swings on the 11th hole, he appeared to be in discomfort. After talking with the trainer, Morikawa withdrew.

His playing partners, Ludvig Aberg and Si Woo Kim, will finish the round and play together Friday as a twosome.

In five events so far this season, Morikawa has a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and two top-10 finishes -- a tie for seventh at The Genesis Invitational and fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Also on Thursday, Ryan Fox withdrew prior to the start of the tournament due to illness. David Ford will replace Fox in the field.

--Field Level Media