Collin Morikawa at '50 percent' keeping in touch with lead at Masters after Round 3

Collin Morikawa at '50 percent' keeping in touch with lead at Masters after Round 3

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Ben Griffin walks on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Brian Harman tees off on the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Travis Kelce walks the course near the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Haotong Li tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Kristoffer Reitan tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Max Homa chips onto the third green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Cameron Young tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jason Day tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jake Knapp tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Xander Schauffele tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick lines up his putt on the 7th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Wyndham Clark tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tyrrell Hatton tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

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See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Ben Griffin walks on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

1 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Ben Griffin walks on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

2 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Brian Harman tees off on the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

3 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Travis Kelce walks the course near the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

4 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Haotong Li tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

5 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Kristoffer Reitan tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

6 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Max Homa chips onto the third green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images

7 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Cameron Young tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

8 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jason Day tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

9 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jake Knapp tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images

10 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Xander Schauffele tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images

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See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick lines up his putt on the 7th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

12 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Wyndham Clark tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

13 / 13

See the best photos from Masters Saturday Moving Day, Round 3 at Augusta National

Apr 11, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tyrrell Hatton tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Collin Morikawa owns a pair of major championships and seven PGA Tour wins.

Yet following a Saturday 68 at Augusta National Golf Club, where Morikawa claims to be swinging at “50 percent” because of back issues, the 29-year-old put his Round 3 performance at the Masters Tournament into perspective.

“It's going to be one of the best tournaments in my entire career,” said Morikawa, with 18 holes to play. “Every step out there isn’t easy, and I'm just kind of one step at a time. But I'm really proud of myself.”

Last month, Morikawa withdrew from the Players Championship with back pain and hadn’t competed again until this week.

Following an opening 74, Collin has posted consecutive rounds in the 60s — 69 and 68, respectively.

“I'm over the moon right now, and I know I have one more day,” Morikawa said.

Morikawa expanded on his physical discomfort, and how it impacts decision making.

“When I get to hole nine, hole 10, hole 11, downhill lies are near impossible because I don't want to fire into my left side,” Collin said. “I’m just trying to hit middle of the green, walk away with two-putt pars, and I've done a decent job with that.”

On moving day, Morikawa played his final four holes in 4-under (eagle-birdie-birdie-par) and was asked where the day ranks among his career.

“It's going to be in its own category,” Morikawa said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Collin Morikawa's Masters fight through back pain to stay in contention after Round 3