Collin Morikawa, the 29-year-old golf prodigy, is gearing up for the RBC Canadian Open, just one week before the U.S. Open. Morikawa's journey to the top has been a rollercoaster, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. In 2026, he burst onto the scene with a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but his momentum was abruptly halted by a back injury in March, forcing him to withdraw from The Players Championship after just one hole.
The back injury has been a persistent issue, causing Morikawa to struggle in subsequent tournaments. His performance at the PGA Championship was particularly concerning, as he was spotted hobbling around the course. With the U.S. Open looming, fans and pundits alike are eagerly awaiting news of his recovery.
In a recent media appearance in Toronto, Morikawa provided an update on his condition, expressing a sense of relief and cautious optimism. He revealed that his back injury, which has plagued him since The Players Championship, has not fully resolved, but he has made significant progress.
"Not much, which is kind of good," Morikawa said, "I left the PGA Championship uncomfortable in a way. I’ve been grinding this kind of back injury since THE PLAYERS. It still hadn’t felt that comfortable. So it was nice to take a full reset. And just focus on other things going on in life."
Morikawa's focus has been on building trust in his body and swing. He acknowledges that his swing has improved, but he is still seeking the complete relaxation and trust in his body that will enable him to perform at his peak. "I think when the body fully is able to kind of have that last little puzzle piece of fully relaxing, I think the game’s going to be exactly how I want."
Despite his progress, Morikawa remains vigilant, aware of the potential for his back to flare up again. "I’m still a little bit on edge just because I don’t want it to happen again. I’m doing the right steps to prevent it, but when it happens like that it’s in a sense a little bit of trauma that you just kind of have to deal with."
As Morikawa prepares for the RBC Canadian Open, he is hopeful that he can play without pain or psychological distress. His journey to recovery is a testament to his resilience and determination, and his fans eagerly await the day when he can return to his winning ways.
