Collin Morikawa battled nerves and lingering trust issues from his recent back spasms to post a gritty 2-over 74 in Round 1 of the 2026 Masters.
Collin Morikawa’s 2026 Masters opener wasn’t just a scorecard fight. It was a mental one, too.
The two-time major champion returned to competition Thursday and ground out a 2-over 74 at Augusta National, a round he said felt unlike almost anything he’s faced in golf.
“Honestly, it’s probably the toughest round I’ve ever played,” Morikawa said afterward, a revealing quote for a player who has already won on some of the game’s biggest stages.
The biggest issue for Morikawa right now isn’t sharp pain in his back. It’s trust.
After the back spasms that forced him to withdraw from The Players Championship in March and later skip the Valero Texas Open, Morikawa said the physical discomfort has faded, but the mental effects haven’t.
He admitted Thursday, “I’ve never felt this nervous, like, in my life,” and said he wasn’t even sure he’d make clean contact when he began a practice round earlier this week.
That context made his opening round at the Masters feel more impressive than the number itself.
Morikawa opened with six straight pars, then mixed two birdies with four bogeys to stay within striking distance of the cut line.
He said walking has been the hardest part and described his current swing as more upper-body driven because his legs still don’t feel fully underneath him.
Morikawa’s honesty after the round stood out almost as much as his play.
“The mind is a powerful, powerful thing,” he said, and right now that battle appears to be shaping his Masters as much as anything technical. The good news for Morikawa is simple ... he’s still in the tournament.
If he can settle his nerves and regain a little freedom in his motion Friday, there’s still a path to the weekend at Augusta.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community for FREE! Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable App to stay even more connected!