Collin Morikawa never had an injury like this one and he’s not sure how it’ll hold up at the 2026 Masters.
The two-time major winner pulled out of The Players Championship after one hole last month when he injured his back while swinging. He hasn’t played since then, but hopes to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club this week despite some lingering concerns.
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“When you hurt yourself swinging,” Morikawa said earlier this week, “it’s a completely different beast of itself because you just don’t know.”
Here’s the latest on Morikawa’s injury and playing status heading into the opening round of the 2026 Masters on Thursday, April 9:
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
On Wednesday at Augusta National, the Par 3 Contest replaces routine with play, as kids wander onto the greens and smiles outnumber swings before the Masters gets underway.
These images capture the lighthearted moments that define the Par 3 Contest each year, when players share the course with their children and the focus shifts from preparation to pure joy.
Above, Jordan Spieth and his wife, Annie Verret, crouch down on the ninth green as their son, Sully, crawls across during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Spieth’s oldest child, Sammy, clings to his back.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
On Wednesday at Augusta National, the Par 3 Contest replaces routine with play, as kids wander onto the greens and smiles outnumber swings before the Masters gets underway.
These images capture the lighthearted moments that define the Par 3 Contest each year, when players share the course with their children and the focus shifts from preparation to pure joy.
Above, Jordan Spieth and his wife, Annie Verret, crouch down on the ninth green as their son, Sully, crawls across during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Spieth’s oldest child, Sammy, clings to his back.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sergio Garcia’s son, Enzo, plays on the third green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Russell Henley of the United States watches his son Robert putt on the second green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Bernhard Langer and his granddaughter, Stella Rose, move down the second hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Jason Day and his son Arrow line up a putt on the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Gary Woodland walks with his son Jaxson off the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sammy Speith hangs from his father, Jordan Spieth’s back on the ninth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Scottie Scheffler and his son Bennett on the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Scottie Scheffler and his son Bennett on the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Max Homa’s son, Cam, runs across the second green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Azalea, daughter of Sergio Garcia, holds the flag pin on the fourth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Harry Hall carries his daughter, Lilah, walks on the second hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Jon Rahm’s wife, Kelley Cahill, carries their daughter, Alaia, on the second hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Logan, son of Keegan Bradley, reacts after a putt on the fourth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sergio Garcia’s son, Enzo, runs to the eighth tee during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Brandon Holtz’ son, Baker, watches the second green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Bear, son of Sam Burns, sits on the fourth hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sergio Garcia and his son Enzo helps line up a putt on the fourth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Millie Holtz, daughter of Brandon Holtz, reacts on the fourth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Elizabeth Holtz, wife of Brandon Holtz, holds up their daughter Millie on the fourth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Charl Schwartzel and his son Jordan walks on the fourth hole with during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sophie Spieth, daughter of Jordan Spieth, walks on the fourth hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Cooper and Logan Bradley, sons of Keegan Bradley, run on the fourth fairway during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Logan, son of Keegan Bradley, reacts after a putt on the fourth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Max Homa’s son Cam walks on the fourth hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Max Homa reacts after his son Cam made a putt on the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Max Homa walks off the eighth green with his son Cam during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Andrew Novak’s wife, Maddie, holds their daughter, Laney, on the second hole during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Max Homa’s son, Cam, hits from the ninth tee during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sam Burns walks the ninth hole with his son, Bear, during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Scottie Scheffler and his wife, Meredith, watch as their son, Bennett, putts on the second green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. With Meredith is their son Remy.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Bennett Scheffler, son of Scottie Scheffler (not pictured) of the United States, looks on from the second green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Scottie Scheffler and his son Bennett on the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Bubba Watson’s daughter, Dakota, hands a club to her brother, Dakota, on the seventh green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel, and Mark O’Meara on the eighth green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Scottie Scheffler of the United States, Sam Burns of the United States and Ian Woosnam of Wales pose with their families during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Keegan Bradley of the United States, Wyndham Clark of the United States and Gary Woodland of the United States walk with their families up the fifth hole during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Russell Henley of the United States walks with his wife Teil Duncan Henley and his daughter Ruth during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Maya McNealy, wife of Maverick McNealy (not pictured) of the United States, holds their daughter Adeline during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sam Burns of the United States walks the sixth hole with his wife Caroline Campbell Burns and son Bear during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Patrick Reed of the United States and his son Barrett Reed look on from the second green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Jordan Spieth of the United States is seen with son Sammy on the ninth green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Justin Thomas of the United States holds daughter Molly Grace Thomas on the ninth green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Jordan Spieth (L) of the United States walks with his wife Annie (R), son Sammy (2nd R), daughter Sophie (2nd L) and son Sully (R) during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Bennett Scheffler reacts alongside father Scottie Scheffler of the United States on the fourth hole during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Meredith Scheffler (L) and Scottie Scheffler (R) of the United States swing son Bennett (C) in the air as they walk the sixth hole during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Amateur Brandon Holtz of the United States carries his daughter Millie Holtz across the second green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Sam Burns of the United States walks the sixth hole with his wife Caroline Campbell Burns and son Bear during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Emerson Lili Spaun and Violet Windsor Spaun, daughters of J.J. Spaun (not pictured) of the United States, watch from the second green during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Arrow, son of Jason Day, walks on the eighth green with a golf ball during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Kepa and Eneko Rahm, sons of Jon Rahm, roll on the grass on the fourth during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Jon Rahm’s sons, Eneko, and Kepa, sit on the third green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Cameron Smith carries his son, Beaumont, while walking the ninth hole with his wife Shanel Naoum, during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks the ninth hole holding son Bennett Scheffler during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
Bernhard Langer walks on the first green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
MASTERS 2026: Ranking every golfer by their odds
Masters 2026: Is Collin Morikawa healthy enough to play?
Yes, but Morikawa is uncertain how his back and body will hold up once he’s out on the course at Augusta National Golf Club during Thursday’s opening round.
Morikawa told reporters before the tournament began this week that he’s “taking it day-by-day,” and admitted his back is not in the condition he hoped it would be by this point.
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Collin Morikawa injury update
Morikawa had MRIs done on his back in recent weeks and said the injury didn’t get worse since he first suffered it during the first round of The Players Championship. He was in the field for last week’s Valero Texas Open but withdrew before the event began. He then played a nine-hole practice round alongside Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young on Monday at Augusta National.
“It’s been a little bit of a mental battle just trying to trust where it’s at,” Morikawa said. “The back actually feels fine. It’s just other parts of the body not cooperating a little bit how I want.”
Morikawa noted there will be shots he hit in previous years at The Masters that he won’t be able to attempt this year due to this back ailment.
Collin Morikawa laughs with Scottie Scheffler before teeing off on the 14th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2026.
“It’s frustrating, but at the same time, I can’t do anything stupid and push my body in a way it doesn’t want to do,” he added. “Sometimes you’ve got to find other ways to get around a golf course. So I’m kind of making a different game plan than I think I’ve come up with in the past. Some shots that you might be able to hit in the past, you might not be able to hit right now. But yeah, it’s a work in progress.”
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Morikawa had a disappointing year on the PGA Tour in 2025, but looked to be on the rebound this year before his injury when he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and had top-seven finishes at the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Collin Morikawa injury update: Is he healthy enough for The Masters?
