NASSAU, Bahamas — Perhaps it’s time to stop asking, “What will Phil do next?”
Instead, the golf world should start wondering, “What will Collin do next?”
A pup at 24 years old, Collin Morikawa has wasted little time in etching his name in the game’s historical record. And we’re talking big-time achievements by one of the best iron players in the game, ones that will resonate for decades to come.
Like when he delivered the ‘Shot Heard ’Round the World’ in the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park, a drive on the par-4 16th in the final round that traveled 291 yards and came to rest seven feet from the pin, from where he made eagle to highlight his closing 64 that gave him ownership of the Wanamaker Trophy in just his second start in a major.
Or when he claimed the Claret Jug in the 2021 British Open at Royal St. George’s in just his second start playing links golf, closing with a bogey-free 66 to become the only player in history to win two different major championship debuts. By becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year, Morikawa also joined Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth as the only players in the past 100 years to win multiple majors before turning 25.
And how about becoming the first American to win the Race to Dubai last month when he polished off his final-round 66 with five birdies in his last seven holes to overhaul Rory McIlroy to win the DP World Tour Championship.
Well, the winner of five PGA Tour titles who also clinched the win and was 3-0-1 in his first Ryder Cup when the U.S. thumped Europe in September can add to his remarkable resume this week in the tropical climes of the Bahamas.
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With a victory in the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club, which has attracted 20 of the game’s best players in the world, Morikawa would become the No. 1 player in the official world rankings. He would reach that lofty position in just his 61st worldwide start as a pro, becoming the second quickest to get to that position. The only player to reach No. 1 quicker? The tournament host, one Tiger Woods, who needed just 21 worldwide starts as a pro to become the world’s top-ranked player.
While he deserves to, Morikawa won’t be kicking back amid the warm temps, nor will he go float on a boat to celebrate his successful 2021. Even if he’s sharing a house this week with fellow young star Viktor Hovland.
The guy isn’t built that way. He’s the goal-setting type who doesn’t get complacent, even if he’s basking in the warmth with friends on this island paradise.
“We’re having a good time, but when we’re out on the golf course, I’m here to win and I have to keep that in mind or this week’s going to go by and I’m going to realize that maybe it wasn’t a great way to end 2021,” Morikawa said Wednesday.
His approach this week is similar to the final tournament of the Race to Dubai. He could have gotten lost thinking about all the scenarios needed to create history by becoming the first American to win the season-long points race.
He chose not to.
“Once I showed up to the tournament, you start talking to media and you start realizing you’re at an actual tournament. I just wanted to win, that’s all I cared about,” he said. “That was my focus, and that’s my focus going to be this week in that we’re going to have a lot of fun.
“I’ve got to be ready tomorrow once I tee it up and that’s the focus. No matter how much fun I’m having out here, how much relaxing I’m doing, by the time I tee it up tomorrow, I’ve got to be ready to play actual golf and play tournament golf.”
His take on the week isn’t surprising to those close to him. Morikawa is an old soul, mature beyond his years, and his ego is always in check. He’s a confident youngster who isn’t surprised by all his early success.
“I set a lot of lofty goals and they’re reasonable goals. They’re not unreasonable, but I set a lot of high goals and that’s just the standard I live up to, it always has been. I just keep pushing myself,” he said. “Especially after I win, it’s time to set new goals. Like I talked about it after the PGA, I didn’t do that, and I kind of went on a little downfall. But when you’re doing something good, you want to remember it, but you also have to remember the bad times.
“We’re always on the spot of trying to figure out what we’re doing great, what we’re doing not well and that’s what’s great.”
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