Collin Morikawa pulls out of Texas Open because of back injury.

Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from the Valero Texas Open due to a persistent back injury, casting doubt on his participation in next week’s Masters.

Morikawa has not competed since pulling out during the first round of the Players Championship on March 12. He managed to play just one hole at TPC Sawgrass before sustaining a back injury while taking a practice swing on the 11th hole.

“I felt fine during warmup,” Morikawa stated at The Players. “There were no indications of back issues. Then I teed off on 11, took a practice swing, and I just knew it was gone. It felt like the previous times it happened. I just can’t swing through it. Believe me, I would compete if I could. It’s just the most frustrating situation.”

The 29-year-old did not participate for Los Angeles Golf Club in the TGL SoFi Cup finals last week. He informed ESPN’s Marty Smith that his back was feeling “positive” and he intended to compete in San Antonio.

Morikawa had aimed to return to play on Thursday after nearly three weeks of recovery as a final preparation for the Masters, the season’s first major championship. However, he withdrew from the Valero Texas Open shortly before his scheduled tee time in the pro-am on Tuesday morning.

Ranked No. 8 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Morikawa ended a 28-month winless streak by claiming victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on February 15. He subsequently tied for seventh at the Genesis Invitational and finished solo fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The two-time major champion was viewed as one of the contenders for his first green jacket. He has recorded five consecutive top-20 finishes at Augusta National Golf Club, including a tie for third in 2024.

Frankie Capan III has taken Morikawa’s place in the Valero Texas Open lineup.