Golfer immediately withdraws from Players Championship after playing one hole

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa has withdrawn from the Players Championship after playing just one hole.

Morikawa, who won the Open Championship and the PGA Championship in 2020 and 2021 respectively, was due to tee off at 8:40am local time alongside Si Woo Kim and Ludvig Aberg.

The 29-year-old secured his first PGA Tour victory in nearly two-and-a-half years at Pebble Beach in February, and would have been aiming for a strong result at TPC Sawgrass this week.

But after recording a par score on his first hole of the opening round, Morikawa suddenly pulled up following a practice swing.

The American felt his back and, after a brief discussion and treatment from his trainer, walked over to his golf cart before withdrawing from the Players Championship.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Morikawa - who has a history of back issues - stated that there were no signs of any problems in the build-up to the prestigious tournament.

"I felt fine in warm-up," he told reporters. "Like nothing's been any signs of back problems.

"Teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone. I just had the feeling before, when it's happened.

"I just can't swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It's just the worst thing in the world.

"It's like a deja vu. Like it all hit me at one second, where I was like, 'Something doesn't feel right'. I took a practice swing, and there it was, not being able to swing."

The PGA Tour announced that Morikawa's WD was due to a 'back injury' but did not elaborate further on the exact nature of the issue.

Morikawa's withdrawal comes amid concerns over Rory McIlroy's participation at TPC Sawgrass.

Like the American, McIlroy is suffering from what he described as a 'stubborn' back injury, and delayed his travel to the course until Wednesday in order to rest at home.

The reigning Masters champion did not definitively confirm his participation on Wednesday, with McIlroy due to tee off at 1:42pm local time.

"I hit up until a 6-iron on the range there and it felt OK," he said (via Golf Digest). "So yeah, we'll see.

"I'm taking it sort of hour by hour. But it feels better. That's all I can say."

In the event that McIlroy does withdraw, he would be replaced by second alternate John Parry. There was no mid-round replacement for Morikawa, while first alternate David Ford replaced Ryan Fox after he pulled out due to illness.