Collin Morikawa makes 2026 Masters cut, putter ‘still feels great’

A month after withdrawing from The Players Championship, Collin Morikawa says his back is no longer in pain.Morikawa shot a 69 on Friday at the 2026 Masters and enters the weekend at 1 under, 11 shots behind Rory McIlroy.1 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaMaverick McNealy, JJ Spaun and Tyrrell Hatton walk to the second green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.1 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaMaverick 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 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaA 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.3 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaA patron watches 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.4 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaWyndham 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.5 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaArgentine amateur Mateo Pulcini putst 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.6 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaCorey Conners putst on the first green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.7 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaMaverick McNealy and caddy Scout McNealy watch the second hole during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.8 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaWyndham Clark walks on the seventh green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.9 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaWyndham Clark plays his ball from no. 7 during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.10 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaWyndham Clark walks on the seventh green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.11 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaDaniel Berger lines up his putt on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.12 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaDavis Riley plays on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.13 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaAdam Scott lines up his putt on the sixth green during the second round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.14 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaBrooks Koepka watches his shot from the first fairway during the first round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.15 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaFred 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.16 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaJustin Rose lines up a shot on the first fairway during the first round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.17 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaJustin Rose hits from the first fairway during the first round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.18 / 18Masters 2026: Best photos from Friday's second round at AugustaJordan 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 confidence isn't there. That's a really weird way to describe it. I don't have the confidence to swing normally."AdvertisementDespite what Morikawa describes as "the most powerful swings I've ever taken," the 29-year-old finds a way to score at Augusta National. Morikawa made six birdies on Friday, including connecting circles at Nos. 12 and 13.“I've said the number 50 maybe 2,000 times in the last two days,” Collin said. "That's because that's the percentage I feel like I'm playing. I feel like I'm playing 50 percent."How can you play 36 holes and shoot better than 50% par?“The putter still feels great,” Morikawa said.This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Collin Morikawa wins 2026 Masters even though he doesn't trust his swing.