Collin Morikawa withdraws after one hole at Players Championship

Collin Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship after playing one hole when back pain returned following a practice swing on the 11th tee. He had started on No. 10, made a par, then called over his trainer and left the course.

Collin Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship on Thursday after completing one hole. He began on the 10th hole and made a par, then reported immediate back pain after a practice swing on the 11th tee and stopped. Morikawa said he has experienced similar episodes before and called over his trainer and his caddie before withdrawing. Known details: - Morikawa, the world No. 4, played one hole (started on No. 10, made a par) and then withdrew after a practice swing on the 11th tee because of back pain. - He reported feeling fine during warm-up but said the pain returned instantly on the practice swing and that he could not swing through it. - The withdrawal comes a week after world No. 2 Rory McIlroy also withdrew from a spotlight event citing back issues. Summary: Morikawa’s withdrawal removes him from the Players Championship field and follows another recent top-5 withdrawal for back pain. Undetermined at this time.