The Players Championship got off to a dramatic start on Thursday morning with Collin Morikawa withdrawing hurt during his first round. The two-time major winner and World No. Morikawa, a PGA Championship and British Open major winner, was one of the favorites to triumph this week but is now out before his first round had even really started. Collin Morikawa withdrew from The Players Championship after appearing to hurt his backMasters champion Rory McIlroy has also been battling with back pain over the last week'Trust me, I would play if I could. McIlroy only arrived at The Players Championship on Wednesday afternoon, just under 24 hours before his tee time.

Source: Daily Mail March 12, 2026 18:27 UTC