GOLF.AI • Today

Morikawa's Battle Beyond the Fairway

Early in the 2026 season, Collin Morikawa was at the peak of his powers. Fresh off a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he described it as a time when "everything started to click." He was a world-class ball-striker in complete control, leading the FedExCup standings and poised for another dominant year.

But a debilitating back injury in March brought his season to a screeching halt. The physical pain was one thing, but the psychological toll proved to be a far greater challenge. What followed was not just a journey of physical rehabilitation, but a raw, internal battle against anxiety and a complete loss of confidence in his own body.

This mental struggle culminated in one of the most vulnerable admissions from an elite athlete. Returning at the Masters after a month away, Morikawa revealed the depth of his fear. "My hardest tee shot that I had to hit was the Tuesday at the Masters," he said. "I've never been nervous hitting a shot on a Tuesday. Simply because I didn't know how my body was going to react... Was I going to hurt someone next to me?" This powerful quote lays bare the anxiety that plagued him—a fear not of missing a fairway, but of causing physical harm.

Despite this internal turmoil, Morikawa managed a top-10 finish at Augusta National, a testament to his resilience. Now, as he prepares to represent Team USA at the upcoming Presidents Cup at Medinah, his participation signals more than just physical readiness. It's the final step in a grueling comeback, a test to see if he is not only physically recovered but also mentally free from the doubts that once haunted his every swing.