World number four Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, due to a back injury. The PGA Tour confirmed his departure after Morikawa completed only one hole.
Morikawa, a pre-tournament favorite and two-time major champion, parred his opening hole at TPC Sawgrass before experiencing pain on the 11th tee. He was seen reaching for his back after a practice swing and was subsequently taken from the course.
His withdrawal follows recent success, including a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and top-10 finishes at the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational.