PGA Tour Doctor Weighs In On Back Injuries

In recent years, there has been an uptick in back injuries on the PGA Tour.  In recent weeks, both Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have had to withdraw from events because of their backs, leading to speculation.  There is a theory as to why there has been an uptick, and it comes from the PGA’s director of chiropractic services.  Dr. Tom LaFountain has shared his thoughts on what is happening to the players.

Some Credence To Fan Speculation

Very recently, there was a lot of fan speculation about the source of all these injuries.  One recurring pattern was that most of the injuries were with players on the TGL.  The fans were theorizing that the players were getting competitive over the speed number that would immediately display.  Rory McIlroy shot that down by saying that his ball speed is faster on the Tour.  Even Billy Horschel chimed in to clarify that it wasn’t the TGL.  However, on the PGA, a doctor believes that part of the competitive aspect creates the conditions in which these injuries occur.

The PGA Tour’s Dr. LaFountain Gives His Thoughts

For 27 years, Dr. Tom LaFountain has been working as part of the PGA’s chiropractic services.  Before the Tour, he worked with Olympic athletes and has seen his fair share of injuries.  During his nearly thirty years of service, he has described seeing patients go on to the Champions Tour while playing on the regular Tour.  Those players would often be in good general health.  The only back issues they’ve had were after years of wear and tear, often going into their 40s.  Withdrawing mid-tournament was almost unheard of.  

During his time with the PGA, Dr. LaFountain noticed that the stakes were increasingly getting higher.  Especially after LIV disrupted the sport.  With the reward for victory getting so high, LaFountain theorized that it encouraged the players only to go harder.  In an interview with Golf.com, LaFountain said the following.

“They want to make it now,” LaFountain said. “They’re playing for so much money, and distance is so paramount, that they will swing as hard as they possibly can to make as much money in a short period of time as they possibly can, and be set up for the rest of their lives. The lure of making more now, they compromise career length to make the money now.”

With the new pressure to grind as hard as possible to clear the course as quickly as possible, younger players can easily twist their backs out of shape.  That’s what happened with Collin Morikawa during the first round of the Players.

What Can The PGA Tour Do?

If LaFountain is correct, that means that the PGA will need to dial things back to keep injuries at a minimum.  However, with the plans the FCC has for the Tour, that is unlikely.  The PGA is about to get more competitive with more at stake, and more opportunities to reach the top, but also fall back down.  For now, though, the players are becoming more mindful of their backs.  Although they do see it as an occupational hazard, some steps will be taken to prevent further injury.