Collin Morikawa's Masters Participation Uncertain Amid Back Injury Recovery Collin Morikawa is navigating a challenging period as he grapples with a lingering back injury that has forced him to withdraw from recent tournaments and cast doubt over his participation in the Masters. The 29-year-old American, known for his consistent performances on the PGA Tour, revealed on Monday that he is “taking it day by day” as he works to recover from the injury that ended his THE PLAYERS Championship and threatens to derail his chances at Augusta National. Morikawa’s withdrawal from THE PLAYERS Championship came after he pulled out of the event after just one hole of his first round, citing a back injury. He had been scheduled to compete in last week’s Valero Texas Open but withdrew before the event began, leaving his Masters eligibility in question. The PGA Tour has not yet confirmed whether he will be allowed to compete in the tournament, which begins on Thursday. “I’m not exactly where I want to be, and it’s unfortunate, but that’s just the body, and I can’t push it,” Morikawa said during a nine-hole practice round alongside Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young. “It’s been a little bit of a mental battle, trying to trust where it’s at. The back actually feels fine. It’s just other parts of the body not cooperating how I want.” Morikawa did not specify which parts of his body were affected but hinted at a connection between his recent back spasms at TPC Sawgrass and his current struggles. He emphasized the psychological toll of the injury, noting that past injuries sustained in the gym had never interfered with his ability to play golf. However, injuries incurred during actual competition present a different challenge.#collin_morikawa #the_players_championship #augusta_national_golf_club #valero_texas_open #at_t_Pebble_Beach_ProAm
Tiger Woods Steps Back from Masters as Tommy Fleetwood Makes Brand Shift at Valero Texas Open The Valero Texas Open entered its third round on Saturday with Robert MacIntyre maintaining a commanding lead at 14 under par, four strokes ahead of second-place Ludvig Aberg. The tournament, held at the Oaks Course, saw the field of 132 PGA Tour players reduced to 70 as the competition narrowed toward the final day. MacIntyre, who posted a 64 on Friday, remained steady through the first six holes of Saturday’s play, while Aberg closed the gap with a birdie on the second hole. Bud Cauley, Tony Finau, Thorbjorn Olesen, and Kevin Roy shared third place at nine under par, setting the stage for an intense final round. The day’s action was interrupted when the tournament was suspended for an hour due to a storm forecast to hit the TPC San Antonio area. PGA Tour officials cited the risk of heavy rainfall and detected electricity in the region, prompting the delay. Play resumed in the afternoon, with players preparing for the final stretch of the event. Meanwhile, the tournament’s focus shifted to the broader golf landscape, particularly the absence of Tiger Woods from next week’s Masters. Woods, 50, confirmed he would not compete at Augusta National, citing his recent accident in Jupiter, Florida. The incident occurred on March 27 when he rolled his Land Rover, leading to his arrest on charges of driving under the influence, property damage, and refusing a lawful test. Woods, who had previously declined a urinalysis after passing a breathalyzer, faced scrutiny over his actions. Police reported he was "sweating profusely" and had "bloodshot and glassy eyes" during field sobriety tests. Officers also found two hydrocodone tablets in his pocket, raising concerns about his condition.#tommy_fleetwood #tiger_woods #jack_nicklaus #valero_texas_open #robert_macintyre
