Collin Morikawa is no stranger to pressure. A two-time major champion with multiple top finishes on golf’s biggest stages, he’s built a reputation as one of the steadiest players in the game. But at the 2026 Masters, even Morikawa found himself facing something completely new—nerves unlike anything he’s ever experienced.
Heading into Thursday’s opening round at Augusta National, Morikawa admitted he was caught off guard by the emotions he felt from the moment he woke up. “I’ve never felt this nervous… in my life,” he said, a shocking statement from a player who has already conquered golf’s biggest stages.
The nerves weren’t just mental—they were tied directly to uncertainty surrounding his body. Morikawa hadn’t played competitively since March 12, when a back injury forced him to withdraw after just one hole at The Players Championship. Since then, preparation had been limited, leaving him unsure of how his body would respond under real tournament pressure.
That uncertainty showed throughout his round.
Morikawa battled through discomfort and inconsistency, ultimately carding a 2-over 74. He mixed in two birdies with four bogeys, but more importantly, he struggled to find any real rhythm. Walking the course proved difficult, and he admitted he couldn’t fully trust his body or swing.
“It’s a battle,” Morikawa said after the round, describing what he called one of the toughest rounds of his career—not because of the score, but because of how uncomfortable he felt physically and mentally.
Still, there were positives.
Just being back at Augusta and completing a full round was a step forward after weeks of uncertainty. For a player who has consistently performed well at the Masters in past years, simply staying in the tournament keeps hope alive heading into the weekend.
But make no mistake—this is far from the dominant Morikawa fans are used to seeing.
Instead of chasing the leaderboard, he’s fighting something much deeper: confidence in his own body. And until that returns, every shot, every step, and every swing will remain a test.
The Masters is known for producing dramatic turnarounds, but for Morikawa, this week is already about more than just winning—it’s about proving he can trust himself again on golf’s biggest stage.
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