Morikawa withdraws from Memorial

DUBLIN, Ohio — Collin Morikawa withdrew from the final round of the Memorial golf tournament because of back spasms, keeping him from a chance to win for a second time at Muirfield Village.

Morikawa had shot 68 in the third round and was two shots out of the lead. He said he was doing pre-round exercises when a muscle in his lower back gave out.

“We were doing some like reflex stuff, trying to reach down and try to pick something up like quick and low. Went after it weird,” the American said according to AP.

“Literally have never had this in my life. I´ve hurt my back briefly before, but like nothing has been this bad, especially never warming up.”

He said he tried hitting about 10 balls on the range and he hit a clunky 9-iron that went only about 95 yards. He realized that wouldn’t work at Muirfield Village.

Morikawa won the Workday Charity Open at Muirfield Village in 2020 when it was held a week before the Memorial, replacing the Canadian Open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morikawa said he wasn’t overly worried about the recovery and will rest ahead of the US Open on June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club.

Tom McKibbin held off a German challenge to win the European Open in his debut season on the European tour.

The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland started the final round as one of six players tied for the lead at 6 under par and went on to win by 2 shots on 9 under overall.

He finished his round of 3-under 70 with a birdie on the par-five 18th after missing an eagle putt.

“Pretty amazing, it was a great day,” McKibbin said. “It probably won’t sink in until tomorrow.”

Marcel Siem (71) and Maximilian Kieffer (70), who were both bidding to become the first German in 15 years to win a tour event on home soil, shared second place along with French player Julien Guerrier (72).

Siem’s and Kieffer’s challenges still underlined the recent resurgence of German players, however. Germans have won six events in the last 10 months on the European tour after previously not having won since 2014.

McKibbin built a 2-shot lead after the front nine, but bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13 left him briefly level with Siem and Kieffer before he recovered with a birdie on the 15th.

Instead of playing it safe, McKibbin took a risk with his second shot on the 18th, playing a draw around a tree to hit the ball close to the pin for the eagle attempt.

McKibbin moved up from the Challenge Tour. He grew up playing at the Holywood Golf Club near Belfast, the same as four-time major winner Rory McIlroy. Until now, his most notable tour achievement was holding the first-round lead at the Singapore Classic in March before tying for 12th.