Collin Morikawa overcame significant injury concerns to secure a top-10 finish at the RBC Heritage. He admitted to being unusually apprehensive about playing, given his physical condition. Morikawa’s performance included a final-round 67, bringing him to 13-under for the tournament.
Morikawa’s Injury Woes
Morikawa has been dealing with a back injury since THE PLAYERS Championship. He described the Masters as “one of the best tournaments I could have asked for.” Despite not feeling pain, he acknowledged encountering a mental barrier because of the injury. He visibly favoured his back throughout the week at Harbour Town Golf Links.
“I’m not in pain,” he said on Thursday. “I know it looked painful, but I’m just very scared, and I’ve never been this scared in my life to go out and play. But I think it’s because it happened on the golf course. I’ve never had any back stuff happen on the golf course. Every time in the gym.”
Rallying to a Top Finish
Starting the final day eight shots off the lead, Morikawa’s 4-under 67 propelled him up the leaderboard. At one point, he was T6, six shots behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick. Morikawa carded six birdies and hit 14 greens in regulation on Sunday. He was second in Strokes Gained: Approach overall this week.
Looking Ahead
Morikawa said he’s happy the last two weeks are done. He will be sitting out the Zurich Classic of New Orleans to recuperate and test the limits of his swing in a “comfortable, at-home setting.” Beyond that, the PGA TOUR season moves into back-to-back Signature Events in Miami and Charlotte, N
Morikawa and his wife Katherine are expecting their first child later this spring.