July 2026 Golf Injury Report: Tiger Woods Completes Rehab as Morikawa and Thompson Focus on Recovery

The grueling nature of the professional golf calendar is continually testing the physical limits of the sport's biggest names. As the 2026 season enters its critical July stretch, several high-profile players are prioritizing rehabilitation over competition, showcasing the immense resilience required to survive at the elite level.[1]

The most closely watched recovery belongs to 15-time major champion Tiger Woods. Following a March 2026 car crash in Florida, Woods spent three months at a specialized treatment facility in Switzerland, stepping entirely away from the public eye to focus on his long-term health.[1][2]

Woods returned to the United States in mid-June, landing in Palm Beach, Florida. According to reports, his European rehabilitation focused heavily on pain management without the use of addictive opioids, alongside intense physical and psychological therapy designed to heal his body sustainably.[1]

The 50-year-old made his first public appearance since his return on June 23, introducing PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp at a tour event. While Woods has not set a timeline for his return to competitive golf—and will miss the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Birkdale—sources indicate he remains determined to return and is actively establishing a sustainable fitness routine.[1][2]

Meanwhile, two-time major champion Collin Morikawa is battling through a lingering back issue that has disrupted his 2026 campaign. The injury first flared up dramatically in March, forcing Morikawa to withdraw from The Players Championship after completing just one hole.[3][4]

Morikawa has since been managing the discomfort, taking a full reset after the PGA Championship and withdrawing from the Memorial Tournament. He admitted to the media that he is still building trust with his body, noting that the trauma of the sudden flare-up leaves him slightly on edge during full tournament conditions.[3]

To protect his back, Morikawa has been working diligently on his swing mechanics. By adjusting his motion to alleviate stress on his lower lumbar region, he hopes to find the consistency needed to contend in the remaining summer events without risking further injury.[3][4]

On the LPGA Tour, Lexi Thompson is facing her own physical hurdles. The 31-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Meijer LPGA Classic in June due to persistent hip pain, a frustrating setback at an event she previously won in 2015.[1]

Thompson expressed deep disappointment over the withdrawal but emphasized that her immediate priority is healing. She shared with fans that she is heading home to take the time needed to focus on recovery and get her body where it needs to be, putting her upcoming major championship schedule on hold to ensure full rehabilitation.[1]

The physical toll is also evident in sudden mid-tournament adjustments across the PGA Tour. Earlier in the season, Aaron Rai was forced to abruptly withdraw from the Houston Open due to a neck injury, a frustrating physical setback for a player who relies heavily on elite iron play.[6]

Like Morikawa, Rai has had to navigate the delicate process of resting a specialized joint while trying to maintain his position in the FedExCup standings. The margins for error are razor-thin, and playing through pain often leads to compounding mechanical flaws.[6]

Brian Campbell, defending champion at the John Deere Classic, revealed he has been overhauling his swing to compensate for shoulder pain that forced him out of the Memorial Tournament earlier in the year.[5]

Campbell noted that playing competitively while incorporating new, injury-preventing mechanics is exceptionally difficult. However, he reported feeling closer than ever to feeling more normal, highlighting the delicate balance professionals must strike between resting an injury and playing through the necessary adjustments.[5]

As the global golf tours navigate the busy summer months, these recovery journeys underscore the hidden physical grind of the sport. For Woods, Morikawa, Thompson, and Campbell, the immediate focus remains on sustainable health and long-term resilience rather than immediate hardware.[1][3][5]