Collin Morikawa makes 2026 Masters cut, putter 'still feels great'

Collin Morikawa makes 2026 Masters cut, putter 'still feels great'

A month after withdrawing from the Players Championship, Collin Morikawa says his back is pain free.

Morikawa shot a 69 on Friday at the 2026 Masters and enters the weekend at 1-under, 11 shots behind Rory McIlroy.

Maverick McNealy, JJ Spaun, and Tyrrell Hatton walk to the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

A general view of the main scoreboard is seen near the first hole during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A patron looks on while wearing a hat with Masters pins during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Wyndham Clark of the United States prepares to putt on the first green during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Amateur Mateo Pulcini of Argentina putts on the first green during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Corey Conners putts on the first green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Maverick McNealy and caddie Scout McNealy look on the second hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Wyndham Clark walks onto the seventh green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Wyndham Clark plays his ball from the no. 7 fairway during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Wyndham Clark walks the seventh green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Daniel Berger lines up his putt on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Davis Riley chips onto the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Adam Scott lines up his putt on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Brooks Koepka watches his shot from the first fairway during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Fred Couples, Min Woo Lee and Fifa Laopakdee walk to the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Justin Rose lines up a shot on the first fairway during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Justin Rose takes a shot on the first fairway during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Jordan Spieth reacts to his putt on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Maverick McNealy, JJ Spaun, and Tyrrell Hatton walk to the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Maverick McNealy, JJ Spaun, and Tyrrell Hatton walk to the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

2 / 18

2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

A general view of the main scoreboard is seen near the first hole during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

A patron looks on while wearing a hat with Masters pins during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Wyndham Clark of the United States prepares to putt on the first green during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Amateur Mateo Pulcini of Argentina putts on the first green during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Corey Conners putts on the first green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Maverick McNealy and caddie Scout McNealy look on the second hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Wyndham Clark walks onto the seventh green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Wyndham Clark plays his ball from the no. 7 fairway during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Wyndham Clark walks the seventh green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Daniel Berger lines up his putt on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Davis Riley chips onto the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Adam Scott lines up his putt on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Brooks Koepka watches his shot from the first fairway during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Fred Couples, Min Woo Lee and Fifa Laopakdee walk to the sixth green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Justin Rose lines up a shot on the first fairway during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Justin Rose takes a shot on the first fairway during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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2026 Masters: Best photos from Friday's second round at Augusta

Jordan Spieth reacts to his putt on the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

“Honestly, it doesn't hurt,” Morikawa said. “But the trust isn't there. It's a really weird way to describe it. I don't trust myself to swing normally.”

Despite what Morikawa describes as, “the armsy-est swings I've ever made,” the 29-year-old is finding ways to score at Augusta National. Morikawa carded six birdies on Friday, including connective circles on Nos. 12 and 13.

“I've said the number 50 maybe 2,000 times in the last two days,” Collin said. “It's because that's the percentage I feel like I'm swinging it. I feel like I'm playing at 50 percent.”

How does one play 36-holes and shoot better than par at 50-percent?

“The putter still feels great,” Morikawa said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Collin Morikawa makes 2026 Masters cut despite not trusting his swing