Collin Morikawa defies back pain and delivers one of the best rounds of his career at the 2026 Masters
At the heart of the 2026 Masters Tournament, one of the greatest prodigies in world golf, Collin Morikawa, is astonishing the world by competing with a back injury that almost forced him to abandon the season. After withdrawing from the Players Championship last month due to debilitating pain, Morikawa returns to Augusta National with a performance he himself describes as “one of the best of his career,” even playing at “50%” of his capacity.
At just 29 years old, the American already has two major titles and seven PGA Tour victories. However, it was on Saturday, during the third round of the Masters, that Morikawa showcased all his mental and technical strength by signing an impressive 68, at par, in a competition where every step is a battle against physical discomfort.
“This is going to be one of the best tournaments of my entire career,” stated Morikawa before starting the final round, with 18 holes still to play. “Every step out there is not easy, I’m taking it one at a time. But I’m really very proud of myself,” added the talented player, who remains hopeful of shining until the end.
The back injury has affected not only Morikawa’s swing but also the way he approaches each shot, especially on sloping terrain. “When I get to holes nine, ten, or eleven, with the downhill slopes, it becomes almost impossible because I don’t want to strain my left side. I just try to hit the middle of the green and secure pars with two putts, and so far I’ve managed to do a good job of that,” explained the golfer, revealing his conservative strategy to preserve physical integrity while remaining competitive.
The most impressive note of the day was the final performance on moving day, where Morikawa signed four holes at 4 under par, with an eagle and two consecutive birdies, culminating in a par that left fans and experts astonished. Asked where this round fits in his career, the golfer was categorical: “It will be in a category of its own.”
With a combination of talent, resilience, and intelligent pain management, Collin Morikawa is writing another epic chapter in his story at Augusta, proving that even when the body doesn’t cooperate, the mind and technique can take a champion very far. The 2026 Masters still has much to tell, and Morikawa promises to be one of the protagonists until the last putt.
