Collin Morikawa reveals nervousness before the 2026 Masters.

Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion, confesses: “I’ve never felt so nervous in my life” before the inaugural round of the 2026 Masters. The anxiety that grips the young golf prodigy has nothing to do with the usual pressure of major tournaments, but rather with a silent enemy: his own physical condition.

The setting is Augusta, Georgia, the sacred stage of world golf. Morikawa, who has already proven to be one of the best in the world, has been struggling with a back injury that has plagued him since he suffered a strain during a seemingly innocuous training session, forcing him to withdraw from the Players Championship after just one round. Since then, doubt has settled in his mind and in his game.

The numbers don’t lie: during practice sessions for the Masters, Morikawa recorded a maximum driver distance of only 279 yards—a clear sign that he wasn’t fully trusting his body to unleash his most powerful shots. The athlete himself admitted in an interview after the first round, where he posted a score of 74, two over par, that the nervousness was something completely unprecedented in his career.

“It started right when I woke up. I’ve never felt this way, so nervous in my life. I’ve played in majors, I’ve played in other tournaments, but this is different. It’s a matter of confidence. When I felt the injury at the Players, a doubt remained: will this happen again? Will I be able to hold up?” Morikawa confessed, revealing the mental battle he faces.

Although he is not feeling physical pain at the moment, his mind is a constant battlefield. The walk through the undulating fairways of Augusta, known for its physical demands, has been a brutal challenge for his legs, which do not feel strong or confident. “I’ve been using my upper body more than my legs to play, which is not ideal for my style,” explained the champion, who has been forced to adjust his technique.

Withdrawing from the tournament crossed his mind, especially after testing his physical condition midweek with nine holes of practice, but Morikawa decided to fight until the end. “I had no idea what I was going to be able to do today, but I’m proud of how I held on,” he stated, demonstrating extraordinary resilience.

This setback comes at a time when Morikawa was on the rise, having won the AT&T Pebble Beach earlier this year and being touted as one of the top favorites for the first major of the calendar. However, his spine seems to want to dictate other rules.

Now, it remains to be seen how Morikawa will react in the second round on Friday, in a Masters that promises to continue surprising. His struggle against nervousness and physical pain is a brutal reminder that even the greatest talents face invisible battles — and that true strength lies in continuing to move forward, even when the body and mind seem ready to give up.

Follow all the developments of this drama in Augusta and stay updated on every step of Morikawa’s fight for a place among the greats of world golf. The 2026 Masters season is starting with maximum intensity and a protagonist who is already facing adversity head-on.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.