{"id":1049937,"date":"2026-09-08T01:22:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T01:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1049937\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T01:22:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T01:22:31","slug":"smylie-kaufman-reveals-what-collin-morikawas-team-have-told-him-about-his-back-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1049937\/","title":{"rendered":"Smylie Kaufman reveals what Collin Morikawa’s team have told him about his back injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Follow us on Google Discover <\/a> <\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morikawa ended his two-and-a-half year winless run by triumphing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The back injury that Collin Morikawa<\/a> sustained during the Players lingered throughout the rest of the season, and he failed to win again.<\/p>\n

\"CollinPhoto by Alex Slitz\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Morikawa admitted back in June that he was still suffering with his back problem<\/a>, and the issue prevented him from hitting certain shots he wanted to hit.<\/p>\n

Despite his injury, the 29-year-old still managed to record seven top 10 finishes in 17 starts, as well as five top-5s.<\/p>\n

What Collin Morikawa\u2019s team told Smylie Kaufman about his back injury<\/p>\n

Smylie Kaufman spoke about Morikawa\u2019s season on The Smylie Show<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The former PGA Tour player revealed what the two-time major winner\u2019s team is saying about his back injury now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Morikawa should be very proud of the season,\u201c Kaufman said.<\/p>\n

MORE COLLIN MORIKAWA STORIES<\/p>\n

\u201cThat performance he put on at Augusta, like not being able to do a whole lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike, I don\u2019t know exactly what the extent of his back injury is, but still, from talking to some folks on his team, he still isn\u2019t all the way back to 100%.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n

\"CollinPhoto by Warren Little\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Morikawa, I think had a terrific season, 4th in strokes gained approach. I thought the putter was really good at times.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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\u2019t necessarily the worst performance by any means.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike, his chipping is always going to be the most heavily debated thing, but this guy is just an absolute phenom.\u201c<\/p>\n

Collin Morikawa\u2019s PGA Tour stats in 2026<\/p>\n

Morikawa\u2019s iron play was exceptional throughout the 2026 season, and he ranked 4th in strokes gained approach.<\/p>\n

He drove the ball well, and was ranked 22nd in strokes gained off the tee.<\/p>\n

His putting was just above average, and he ended the season ranked 62nd in strokes gained on the greens.<\/p>\n

However, Collin Morikawa\u2019s short game really let him down. He was ranked 93rd in strokes gained around the green and 124th in scrambling.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unusual that Morikawa\u2019s back injury didn\u2019t affect his long game, but seemed to wreak havoc with his short game.<\/p>\n

He will know that he needs to improve upon his chipping and putting if he is to enjoy a successful 2027 season.<\/p>\n

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