Collin Morikawa shines at the Masters despite back injury.

Collin Morikawa challenges back pain and delivers one of the best rounds of his career at the 2026 Masters

At the epicenter of the 2026 Masters Tournament, one of the greatest prodigies in world golf, Collin Morikawa, is surprising the world by competing with a back injury that nearly 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 that he himself describes as “one of the best of his career,” even while playing at “50%” of his capacity.

At just 29 years old, the American has already amassed two major titles and seven victories on the PGA Tour. However, it was on Saturday, during the third round of the Masters, that Morikawa showcased his mental and technical strength by signing an impressive 68, at par, in a tournament where every step is a battle against physical discomfort.

“It’s going to be one of the best tournaments of my entire career,” Morikawa stated before starting the final round, with 18 holes still to play. “Every step out there isn’t easy; I’m taking them one at a time. But I’m really 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 sloped terrain. “When I get to holes nine, ten, or eleven, with the slopes going down, it becomes almost impossible because I don’t want to force my left side. I try to just hit the middle of the green and ensure pars with two putts, and so far I’ve been doing a good job at that,” the golfer explained, revealing his conservative strategy to preserve his physical integrity while remaining competitive.

The most impressive note of the day was the final performance on moving day, where Morikawa signed off with four holes at 4 under par, with one eagle and two consecutive birdies, culminating in a par that left fans and experts in awe. When asked where this round fits into his career, the golfer was emphatic: “It’s going to be in a category of its own.”

With a combination of talent, resilience, and intelligent pain management, Collin Morikawa is writing yet another epic chapter in his story at Augusta, proving that even when the body does not cooperate, the mind and technique can take a champion a long way. The 2026 Masters still has much to reveal, and Morikawa promises to be one of the main protagonists until the final putt.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.