[Photo: David Cannon]
Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from this week’s Valero Texas Open, raising the question about his availability for next week’s Masters Tournament.
The PGA Tour announced overnight (Australian time) that Morikawa had pulled out of the event at TPC San Antonio, which serves as the final tour stop before the sport turns to Augusta National. Though no reason was cited, Morikawa suffered back spasms during the Players Championship earlier this month, forcing him to withdraw after just one hole.
“Took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone,” Morikawa said at the Players regarding his injury. “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 has not played since his injury at TPC Sawgrass. However, the two-time major champion has been one of the best players on tour in the season’s first three months. Morikawa captured the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and followed with a T-7 at the Genesis Invitational and a fifth-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He entered the week ranked first in approach and 10th in strokes gained.
Morikawa has a strong track record at Augusta National. In six Masters appearances he has five finishes of T-18 or better, including a T-3 in 2024. Until his injury, he was considered one of the favourites after Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy for the green jacket. As of writing, Morikawa remains on the Masters list of attendees.
Frankie Capan III will replace Morikawa in the Valero Texas Open field.
