Follow us on Google Discover Collin Morikawa actually performed incredibly well during the 2026 season, considering the fact that he was dealing with a back injury throughout most of the year.
Morikawa ended his two-and-a-half year winless run by triumphing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
However, disaster struck just one month later at TPC Sawgrass when he was forced to withdraw from the Players Championship after playing just one hole.
The back injury that Collin Morikawa sustained during the Players lingered throughout the rest of the season, and he failed to win again.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Morikawa admitted back in June that he was still suffering with his back problem, and the issue prevented him from hitting certain shots he wanted to hit.
Despite his injury, the 29-year-old still managed to record seven top 10 finishes in 17 starts, as well as five top-5s.
What Collin Morikawa’s team told Smylie Kaufman about his back injury
Smylie Kaufman spoke about Morikawa’s season on The Smylie Show.
The former PGA Tour player revealed what the two-time major winner’s team is saying about his back injury now.
“I think Morikawa should be very proud of the season,“ Kaufman said.
MORE COLLIN MORIKAWA STORIES
“That performance he put on at Augusta, like not being able to do a whole lot.
“Like, I don’t know exactly what the extent of his back injury is, but still, from talking to some folks on his team, he still isn’t all the way back to 100%.
“As far as the shots that he wants to hit, he talks about how it was affecting range sessions before rounds and getting warmed up every day, how much it looks different for him.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
“So, Morikawa, I think had a terrific season, 4th in strokes gained approach. I thought the putter was really good at times.
“It really carried him through that first quarter to the first half of the season when he had the most troubling parts with his back injury, but, you know, 62nd in strokes gained putting isn’t necessarily the worst performance by any means.
“Like, his chipping is always going to be the most heavily debated thing, but this guy is just an absolute phenom.“
Collin Morikawa’s PGA Tour stats in 2026
Morikawa’s iron play was exceptional throughout the 2026 season, and he ranked 4th in strokes gained approach.
He drove the ball well, and was ranked 22nd in strokes gained off the tee.
His putting was just above average, and he ended the season ranked 62nd in strokes gained on the greens.
However, Collin Morikawa’s short game really let him down. He was ranked 93rd in strokes gained around the green and 124th in scrambling.
It’s unusual that Morikawa’s back injury didn’t affect his long game, but seemed to wreak havoc with his short game.
He will know that he needs to improve upon his chipping and putting if he is to enjoy a successful 2027 season.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox