Collin Morikawa once again surprised the golf world with an impressive display at Shinnecock Hills, achieving a remarkable 65 without any bogeys on a Friday that, at first glance, seemed free of issues. However, the reality is quite different: the American continues to struggle with the aftermath of a back injury that nearly ruined his season just three months ago, but so far, he has managed to keep it under control – albeit with clear limitations.
Following a shaky start with a round of 73, Morikawa rose to the occasion, tallying seven birdies and two bogeys, finishing two under par after 36 holes. This performance allowed him to move away from the cut line and reignite his hopes at the US Open, but the golfer did not hide the physical difficulties he is facing. In statements to the press after his second round, Morikawa was blunt: “Yes, it’s still a bit uncomfortable,” he admitted, revealing that the limitations continue to impact his game. “I’m hitting the ball better. Last week was crucial for me. I felt I made progress after that. I took some time to be with the baby. I can’t hit all the shots I want. Normally, with a right-to-left wind and an iron, I would cut the ball, I knew how it would spin, it was just a matter of playing that shot. Now I can’t cut it as much as I would like.”
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The injury, it should be noted, dates back to March, when a warm-up swing at THE PLAYERS Championship ended abruptly with Morikawa leaving the course due to back spasms. There were no warning signs during the warm-up, but an MRI would later confirm that there were no structural damages – the issue was functional and the recovery proved to be arduous. Morikawa ultimately missed several tournaments and returned to compete at the Masters, where, surprisingly, he finished in seventh place despite not being at full physical capacity.
The challenge quickly shifted from pain to confidence. In Augusta, Morikawa explained that, although his back pain had eased, other parts of his body stubbornly refused to function as he wished. He spoke openly about the fear of injuring himself again mid-swing, a fear he had never felt in a major and which had accompanied him until May. At the PGA Championship, he confessed he still did not fully trust his body and, already at Shinnecock, confirmed: “I can’t cut it the way I want. Not yet.”
Despite this, Morikawa assured that the conditions of the course allowed him to work around some of his limitations. “Fortunately, the greens are soft enough right now, so I don’t need to hit that high shot with a lot of spin, but I can do enough. I think today I proved to myself that I have the tools necessary to play well,” he stated with satisfaction, before adding: “Fortunately, I’m moving a little better. With the driver, I’m getting a bit more distance. I don’t feel like I have to play the ball too low. But I can’t make that high launch that, on some holes, I wish I could unleash.”
The progression has been cautious, but the signs are encouraging. Seven birdies and zero bogeys on one of the most demanding rounds of the calendar are proof of that. The secret, he admits, has been to avoid trying to overpower the course physically, but rather to play smart, relying on his short game and avoiding risky swings. “I’m trying to play smart, without taking too many risks,” he explained.
It is important to remember that Morikawa started the year with a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, breaking a long drought of wins. He followed that with top-10 finishes at the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, until back issues forced him to rethink his season. Since then, the schedule has been adjusted to prioritize physical management over the pursuit of trophies.
Although he continues to feel “a bit uncomfortable,” as he admits, Morikawa demonstrated at Shinnecock Hills that he can compete at the highest level even when not at his best physical condition. Saturday will be crucial to determine whether his recovery will hold and if the American can truly contend for the title or if the pain will affect his game once again. For now, Morikawa is once again a name to watch at the US Open, with a resilience that is capturing the attention of the golf world. The coming days promise intense emotions and a final test of the former champion’s ability to overcome challenges.
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