Collin Morikawa is charging toward a crucial stretch of the PGA Tour season with renewed optimism after a back injury threatened to derail his preparation for the Masters. The 27-year-old two-time major champion confirmed his intention to compete at next week's Valero Texas Open, his final competitive test before heading to Augusta National, where he's established himself as one of the tournament's most consistent performers in recent years.
"My back feels really positive," Morikawa told ESPN's Marty Smith, his first public comments since withdrawing from the Players Championship. The California native's upbeat assessment comes as welcome news for golf fans eager to see one of the game's premier ball-strikers at full strength for the season's first major. Morikawa's precision iron game and strategic approach make him particularly well-suited for Augusta's demanding layout.
The injury scare occurred unexpectedly during the opening round at TPC Sawgrass, where Morikawa was forced to withdraw after just nine holes. Recalling the moment his back betrayed him, the normally durable competitor - who had made 142 consecutive starts before this withdrawal - described the sudden onset with palpable frustration. "I felt fine in warm-up," he said. "I just knew it was gone. 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."
This setback interrupted what had been an excellent start to Morikawa's 2024 campaign. The world No. 8 has notched three top-10 finishes already this season, highlighted by his dramatic victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am where he closed with a 64 to overtake a star-studded leaderboard. His T5 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational just weeks before the Players Championship withdrawal demonstrated his ability to contend even while managing physical challenges, a testament to his mental toughness and competitive drive.
While rehabbing his back, Morikawa found reason to celebrate as part of TGL's Los Angeles Golf Club, which defeated Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links squad for the tech-infused league's Season 2 title. The team success provided a silver lining during his recovery period and kept the competitive juices flowing while he was sidelined from PGA Tour action.
Augusta National has been exceptionally kind to Morikawa throughout his young but already decorated career. In six Masters appearances, he's recorded five top-20 finishes - a remarkable consistency matched by few players in the field. His best result came last year when he finished solo third, continuing his trend of improving performances at the tournament (T44 in 2020, T18 in 2021, T5 in 2022). Morikawa's strategic game and elite iron play - he ranks second on Tour in strokes gained this season - make him a perennial contender at the season's first major, where precision approach shots and course management are at a premium.
The Valero Texas Open now takes on added significance as Morikawa's proving ground before Augusta. Tournament officials in San Antonio will be monitoring his performance closely, as will his competitors preparing for the Masters. His ability to test his back under tournament conditions - particularly the full driver swings that place maximum stress on the body - could determine whether he arrives at Augusta National at full strength or still working through limitations.
Morikawa's injury history is relatively clean compared to many of his peers, which makes this back issue particularly concerning given its timing. In 2021, he dealt with a similar back problem that forced him to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament, though he rebounded quickly to contend in subsequent events. His track record suggests he won't rush his return unnecessarily, but the condensed nature of the PGA Tour schedule leaves little margin for error with the Masters looming.
As the golf world turns its attention to the year's first major, Morikawa's situation adds an intriguing subplot to the Masters narrative. His combination of major championship pedigree (wins at the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 Open Championship) and recent form make him one of the favorites whenever he tees it up. The next two weeks will reveal whether one of golf's most technically sound swings is truly back to its best as Morikawa aims to complete the career Grand Slam puzzle that currently only needs the Masters and U.S. Open to be finished.
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*Originally published on [golfnews.global](https://golfnews.global/article/collin-morikawa-eyes-masters-return-after-back-injury-recovery).*
