Collin Morikawa: A Masterpiece at ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP
Picture this: Collin Morikawa, his wife Katherine, and his agent enjoying a meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro – an iconic sushi restaurant in Tokyo. A 97-year-old sushi master, Jiro Ono, personally crafting their dishes. An unforgettable experience that left Morikawa feeling like he may never want sushi again. “It’s artwork,” Morikawa described it. The perfect culinary prelude to a week that would end in artistic triumph at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP.
Fast forward a few days, and Collin Morikawa had secured his sixth career PGA TOUR title, winning by an impressive six-shot margin after a final-round 63. A bogey-free round with a 72nd-hole birdie that was nothing short of spectacular. It was a performance that demonstrated true mastery of his craft, like an artist brushing strokes on a canvas.
It had been quite a journey for Morikawa leading up to this win. His last PGA TOUR victory was at The Open Championship in 2021, and he hadn’t won anywhere in the world since the DP World Tour Championship that same year. Five wins on TOUR in 24 months, followed by another 24 months of waiting for his sixth. It wasn’t for lack of effort, with six top-10 finishes on the season before the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, including a playoff loss to Rickie Fowler at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
“I think the thoughts in your head start piling up of like, OK, well, what did I do differently, what do I need to change?” Morikawa admitted, reflecting on his journey.
Morikawa, an artist with his irons and a maestro on the greens, worked diligently to improve his putting. With caddie Jonathan Jakovac, he spent nearly three hours on the greens, striving for consistency and precision. This special effort bore fruit during the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, where his putting was a highlight of his winning performance.
On the final day at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Morikawa made seven birdies, finishing with a final-round 63, the best round of the day by two strokes. His rivals could only admire his champion’s mindset. Beau Hossler, who finished tied for second, summed it up perfectly: “Would have had to play, as it turns out, really, really well today to win. And that’s what champions do, right? Collin’s a proven champion on the biggest stages, so kudos to him.”
Morikawa’s triumph was well-deserved and dominant. He even etched his name alongside legends like Tiger Woods and Hideki Matsuyama, winners of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. For Morikawa, every win is unique, but this one meant the world to him.
As Morikawa enjoys a well-earned two-week holiday in Asia with his wife, he reflects on a special week, one that saw his golfing artistry return to the forefront. Like a masterful painter, he had created a masterpiece at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP.
Now, ready to explore the winner’s outfit as well as the top 3 on the field? Here is all the info:
Champion: Collin Morikawa
T2: Eric Cole
T2: Beau Hossler
