Winning the Zozo Championship in Japan was special for American Collin Morikawa, whose great-grandparents immigrated from the country. But the most important thing is a success – anywhere – after a 27-month winless streak on the PGA Tourwhen people were starting to ask about his game.
On Sunday he achieved a six-stroke victory, with a 7-under 63 at Zozo at Narashino Country Club, just outside Tokyo. “I feel so good I can’t explain. I know I’ll be here at some point. It’s like getting your first win, your first major” declared the American golfer.
He said he realized that people were wondering why he didn’t win and that the victory was very special because his wife Katherine Zhu was in the stands and gave him a kiss when he left on 18th. “I have to look back and “I wonder what’s going on. What is the reasoning for finishing second? That compares to a victory. This victory means the world. Being in Japan and being half Japanese. A lot of things happened last week,” he said.
Americans Beau Hossler and Eric Cole are second, six back, with 70s in the final round. Morikawa started two shots behind 54-hole leader Justin Suh, who had lost in search of his first PGA Tour victory. He finished with 74 strokes.
Morikawa made four birdies in the first nine holessystematically holed out on the fairways, which he didn’t do in the second and third rounds, and went on to par three more over the final nine holes, including one from 3 meters on the 18th.
Morikawa is one of the most followed players in golf -one of the best iron players in the game-, so even though he has had several chances to win recently, his failure to do so has drawn attention.
His last PGA Tour title was the 2021 British Open – he also won the 2020 PGA Championship – and followed it up a few months later by becoming the first American to finish No. 1 on the European Tour, taking the DP World Tour Championship.
The only disappointment in 2021 was losing in a bronze medal playoff at the Tokyo Olympics. Countryman Justin Suh has a one-stroke lead after 54 holes, seeking his first PGA Tour victory.
Suh, a former college star like Morikawa, dropped the last 18 holes for a 74. Morikawa knew the feeling going in.
In January, he had a six-stroke lead after 54 holes at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, but finished second after a series of bogeys in the final holes.
Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele are playing in their first tournament who participated in the losing side of the Ryder Cup three weeks ago in Italy.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.
