Just hours ahead of the first Netflix Cup, a made-for-streaming-TV event at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas, Collin Morikawa took to social media to say he’d be forced to miss the event with a back ailment.
The event will see Formula 1 drivers and PGA Tour golfers pair up to compete in a match-play tournament at the only 18-hole course on the Strip, helping kick off the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix. The match play will stream live on Netflix at 6 p.m. ET.
The other PGA Tour golfers involved are Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, and Justin Thomas. Meanwhile, F1 drivers set to compete are Alex Albon (Williams Racing), Pierre Gasly (BWT Alpine F1 Team), Lando Norris (McLaren Racing) and Carlos Sainz (Scuderia Ferrari).
Tony Finau will be slotted in to play for Morikawa, who said he tweaked his back and said he needs to prioritize his health.
— Collin Morikawa (@collin_morikawa) November 14, 2023
Morikawa has had similar problems before, including a WD at the 2023 Memorial due to back spasms.
The 26-year-old Morikawa said his back “just kind of gave out” during a workout prior to the event in Muirfield Village, just outside Columbus.
“We were doing some reflex stuff, trying to reach down and I tried to pick something up quick and low,” Morikawa said before the event in June. “I literally have never had this in my life. I’ve hurt my back briefly before, but nothing has been this bad, especially never warming up, and never doing anything pre-round.
“I think it’s the first tournament I’ve ever withdrawn from in my entire life. It sucks because this is a tournament that I love. I’ve played well and put ourselves in contention. But I have to look out for myself and I’ve got to be smart.”
Morikawa also said he hurt his back once while in college.
“I was out for like a week. I pulled a muscle in my left side,” he told the Columbus Dispatch. “But this was just. … I crashed to the ground, just a random spasm.”