Sawt Falasteen - Morikawa pulls out of Players Championship with back trouble

Morikawa who won his first PGA Tour title since 2023 at Pebble Beach last month, parred his opening hole at TPC Sawgrass, the 10th, but a practice swing on the 11th tee had him backing off in some discomfort.

The American consulted his trainer and after a few more swings withdrew.

"I felt fine in warm-up," Morikawa said. "Like nothing's been any 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."

It's a disappointing setback for Morikawa, who has been in fine form to start the season.

In addition to his win at Pebble Beach the 29-year-old finished in a tie for seventh at Riviera and shared fifth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

"Honestly, coming into this year I had a lot of confidence," Morikawa said. "I put a lot of work into my body just to get stronger in general, get healthier, get strong, get fitter."

Morikawa has battled back trouble before, including at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and in 2023, when he had to withdraw from the Memorial.

Y.AlMasri--SF-PST