Collin Morikawa's 2026 Season Affected by Back Injury

Collin Morikawa had a commendable performance during the 2026 season, despite dealing with a persistent back injury. He ended a two-and-a-half year winless streak by winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, but had to withdraw from the Players Championship a month later after just one hole due to his injury.

The back issue affected Morikawa throughout the season, limiting his ability to execute certain shots. He acknowledged in June that he was still experiencing problems, which impacted his practice sessions and warm-ups. Nevertheless, he achieved seven top 10 finishes in 17 starts, including five top-5 placements.

Smylie Kaufman discussed Morikawa's situation on his show, noting that while Morikawa's team indicated he was not fully recovered, he still had a strong season, ranking 4th in strokes gained approach. His long game remained effective, but his short game suffered, ranking 93rd in strokes gained around the green. Improvement in his chipping and putting will be essential for a successful 2027 season.