Collin Morikawa withdrew from the Valero Texas Open because of a lingering back injury, putting his status for next week's Masters in jeopardy.
Morikawa hasn't played since withdrawing from the first round of the Players Championship on March 12. He played only one hole in the first round at TPC Sawgrass before injuring his back during a practice swing on the 11th hole.
"I felt fine in warmup," Morikawa said at The Players. "Like no signs of back problems. And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone. Like I just had the feeling before when it's happened. And I just, I can't swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It's just the worst thing in the world."
The 29-year-old didn't compete for Los Angeles Golf Club in last week's TGL SoFi Cup finals. He told ESPN's Marty Smith that his back was feeling "positive" and he planned to play in San Antonio.
Morikawa had hoped to return to competition Thursday after nearly three weeks of rest in a final tune-up for the Masters, the first major championship of the season. But he withdrew from the Valero Texas Open shortly before his Tuesday morning tee time in the pro-am.
Morikawa, who is ranked No. 8 in the Official World Golf Ranking, ended a 28-month drought without a victory when he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 15. He then tied for seventh in the Genesis Invitational and was solo fifth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The two-time major champion was considered among the favorites to win his first green jacket. He has five straight top-20 finishes at Augusta National Golf Club, including a tie for third in 2024.
Frankie Capan III replaced Morikawa in the Valero Texas Open field.
